Aggregate 2025 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: The best centers available

2006 | 7-2 | 7-6 WS | 252 LBS

Best rank: 5 / Worst rank: 17

Agent: Klutch

2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.2 spg, 1.3 bpg, 71.2% FG, 25.0% 3P in 39 games

Brooklyn Nets will look to add a primary ballhandler and playmaking guard. They would like a young lead guard who can run the offense and develop as a long-term starter. However, Nic Claxton’s current 4-year, $97 million deal expires in 2028 so drafting a replacement to potentially trade him is a possibility.

Khaman Maluach has elite physical tools and impressive mobility for his size. His rim-running and finishing ability are already NBA-caliber (72.3% FG, 1.759 PPP as roll man), and he shows flashes of defensive upside (1.3 bpg in just 21 mpg) with his shot-blocking instincts and switchability. However, his rawness is evident – limited offensive feel, inconsistent defensive positioning (0.952 PPP allowed), and an underdeveloped jumper (25% 3P) leave room for growth. While not yet a dominant rebounder, his physical tools, motor, and pick-and-roll dominance make him a high-upside project.

A pro scout told HoopsHype: “I love Maluach. His ability, for a guy who’s about 7-foot-2 or whatever he is, is nuts. He runs the floor really well. He’s super raw, obviously. He’s not the most skilled player, and he’s probably not going to set the world on fire. He didn’t even average in a place like college, but what he does is always valuable. Rim-running, shot-blocking bigs. He runs the floor really well. He’s okay in drop coverage and in the pick-and-roll; he’s not going to be left on an island out there. I don’t know how much more he can develop. I think that’s probably where he’s at. He might be stuck as a putback guy. But again, being a putback and lob threat is great. You can be like Dereck Lively in that regard, right? That’s what he reminds me of. Dereck Lively was just a rim-running, putback big.”

More: Khaman Maluach: NBA draft scouting report and intel