POINT GUARDS / SHOOTING GUARDS /
SMALL FORWARDS / POWER FORWARDS
Khaman Maluach (Duke)
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
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.”
Derik Queen (Maryland)
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
2004 | 6’10 | 7’1 WS | 247 LBS
Best rank: 6 / Worst rank: 18
Agent: WME
2024-25 stats: 16.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg, 52.6% FG, 20.0% 3P in 36 games
Toronto will have some frontcourt decisions to make this offseason whether to extend center Jakob Poeltl, and if they’ll re-sign Chris Boucher.
A rookie big man such as Derik Queen or Maluach could make sense for Toronto.
Queen is a skilled big man that has showcased advanced footwork, soft touch, and impressive playmaking for his size. With a near 7-foot-1 wingspan, he dominates as a post scorer (0.918 PPP) and midrange shooter (46.4%), while his high IQ shines in dribble handoffs and offensive initiations. Defensively, he contests well without fouling and shows switchability, though his limited shot-blocking and occasional lapses raise concerns. While his rebounding and physicality are strengths, his lack of explosiveness (0.681 PPP as roll man) and shaky perimeter shooting could cap his upside.
An NBA scout told HoopsHype: “Derik Queen is skilled, big, and has a decent body. But if he’s turning 21, how much better is he actually going to get? Those crucial years of development from 19 to 21, when you’re in the league, are vital for improving your jumper, getting faster, and enhancing your offensive game. He missed out on that because he was in high school and college. I don’t want to sound negative – I really like Derik Queen, and I want him to succeed. He’s probably one of my favorite freshmen to watch this year. However, his age and limited upside are a little concerning. He’s definitely a high-floor guy.”
Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
2005 | 6’10 | 7’6 WS | 262 LBS
Best rank: 10 / Worst rank: 28
Agent: WME
2024-25 stats: 14.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg, 2.0 bpg, 53.2% FG, 16.2% 3P in 24 games
Miami Heat could look to add a scoring guard who can create shots or a backup that can contribute in the frontcourt. They would like a player who can develop lead guard skills and provide offensive punch off the bench.
A pro scout told HoopsHype: “Sorber’s a tank, 6-foot-10, 260 lbs, 7-foot-7 wingspan. High-floor. Steven Adams with less mass. He’ll set bone-crushing screens, rebound, and defend in drop. Perfect for Dallas or New Orleans as a backup five. Just don’t ask him to switch.”
Danny Wolf (Michigan)
David Banks-Imagn Images
2004 | 7-0 | 7-2 WS | 251 LBS
Best rank: 15 / Worst rank: 37
Agent: CAA
2024-25 stats: 13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 0.7 spg, 1.4 bpg, 49.7% FG, 33.6% 3P in 37 games
Utah Jazz could look to add a competitive, floor-spacing wing or forward. A big man could help Walker Kessler as a backup or be an insurance to replace him in the future. They would like a shooter with high character who fits an off-ball role.
A pro scout told HoopsHype: “I love Danny but Wolf’s become overrated in the media. He put up Yale numbers at Michigan, but his defense is bad. Gets cooked in space, can’t guard fives. The passing and shooting are nice, but he’s a zero at times on the offensive glass. Likely a backup stretch five who gets played off the floor in playoffs.”
Joan Beringer (Cedevita Olimpija)
ABA League – Filip Barbalic
2006 | 6-11 | 7-3 WS | 230 LBS
Best rank: 13 / Worst rank: 40
Agent: Wasserman
2024-25 stats: 4.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.5 spg, 1.4 bpg, 61.0% FG, 0.0% 3P in 57 games
Oklahoma City Thunder could look to add a versatile, developmental frontcourt player. They would like a player who can be stashed (for salary purposes) or fit flexibly into the roster as a shooter and defender.
An international scout told HoopsHype: “Joan Beringer is a giant who moves really well for his size. He covers ground, protects the rim, and brings upside as an energy big who runs the floor and crashes the glass. But offensively, he’s just so far away from contributing to winning. Right now, he’s basically a rim-running big who gets putbacks and lobs, but how much does that move the needle? If he’s not doing much on offense, it’s tough to justify the minutes, even if he brings defensive value. It’s like the Andre Roberson situation. At a certain point, if teams don’t have to guard you, it can kill your offense, no matter what you do on defense. That’s the big concern with Beringer long-term.”
Maxime Raynaud (Stanford)
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Best rank: 26 / Worst rank: NR
Agent: Comsport
2024–25 stats: 20.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.4 bpg, 46.7% FG, 34.5% 3P in 35 games
Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Best rank: 30 / Worst rank: NR
Agent: Priority
2024–25 stats: 19.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.5 spg, 2.7 bpg, 65.3% FG, 34.4% 3P in 35 games
Johni Broome (Auburn)
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Best rank: 31 / Worst rank: NR
Agent: CAA
2024–25 stats: 18.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 0.9 spg, 2.1 bpg, 51.0% FG, 27.8% 3P in 36 games
Hansen Yang (Qingdao)
Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Best rank: 44 / Worst rank: NR
Agent: Klutch
2024–25 stats: 16.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 0.9 spg, 2.8 bpg, 59.3% FG, 29.1% 3P in 52 games
Alex Condon (Florida)
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Best rank: 31 / Worst rank: NR
Agent: Excel
2024–25 stats: 10.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.3 bpg, 49.3% FG, 32.8% 3P in 37 games
Yanic Niederhauser (Penn State)
John Fisher/Getty Images
Best rank: 36 / Worst rank: NR
Agent: Excel
2024–25 stats: 12.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.7 spg, 2.3 bpg, 61.1% FG, 9.1% 3P, 66.4% FT in 29 games
