Spurs could form new Twin Towers if they shock the world on draft night

Now that the San Antonio Spurs have a much better idea of where they will be selecting in the 2025 NBA draft, fans are already thinking of the perfect fits for the Spurs. The Spurs' two biggest draft needs include adding a shooter and a big man.

However, many expect them to address their lack of shooting with the 8th pick. That could very well be the case. Even so, what if the Spurs pull a 180 and decide to take a prospect that many fans have written off due to potential fit concerns?

Duke center Khaman Maluach is projected to go in the 5-10 range. Although there are indeed fit concerns, there is also potential for a unique lineup that could make the Spurs a nightmare to play against.

Nowadays, it's rare for teams to play two 7-footers together given spacing concerns. Be that as it may, if Maluach lives up to his potential, San Antonio could get away with playing him and Victor Wembanyama together on offense.

Spurs could resurrect Twin Towers by pairing Maluach with Wembanyama

Wembanyama spent the 2024-25 season working to expand his range and was highly successful. He attempted a staggering 8.8 3-pointers per game and shot a respectable 35.3% from deep.

Having a center get up nearly 9 threes per game and shoot at least 35% is a rarity in today's NBA and gives the Spurs potential lineup flexibility. While Wembanyama is at his best playing at center, as long as he has viable spacing around him, then it shouldn't be as much of a problem.

Maluach played as a traditional center at Duke, setting screens and rolling to the basket and crashing the offensive glass. He was effective in that role. He is a massive target rolling to the basket and is a dominant offensive rebounder, giving his team extra possessions. Better still, he is projected to be an elite defensive anchor in the NBA.

The Maluach/Wembanyama duo could be a dominant force

Maluach has shown the potential to expand his range out to 3-point land. He has good shooting form and while he didn't shoot them at Duke he often practiced them.

Equally as important, he shot a solid 73.9% from the free throw line, showing that he has good touch. If he can develop into a capable 3-point shooter in the NBA, then it will dramatically change his ceiling as a player.

Defensively, Maluach is already a terrific rim protector, making excellent use of his 7'2 frame to contest shots at the rim. Pairing him next to Wembanyama would allow the Spurs to have a rim protector in the paint at all times.

The Spurs could start De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Wembanyama, and Maluach together for the first six minutes of each half before sending Maluach to the bench. A few minutes later, he could sub in for Wembanyama, serving as both starting and backup center.

That could solve the Spurs' backup center problem and help them bolster their defense while not necessarily hurting their spacing.

Ultimately, the Spurs selecting Maluach would be a surprising move. However, if they believe in his potential and that he can develop into a stretch five, then he'd be a solid choice with the eighth pick.