When Rich Paul throws an event, the NBA world usually shows up. The Klutch Pro Day in Los Angeles wasn’t just another stop on the pre-draft circuit; it was a true spectacle. Every year, the Klutch Sports Group founder gathers the top talent for a showcase that’s nothing short of an audition. And this year was no different. It had all the big names on the court. But it had even bigger names in the crowd with a lot of draft-day drama brewing.
But why were some of the league’s most powerful decision-makers locking eyes on these young prospects?
Star Power Takes Over Klutch Pro Day
First, let’s look at what the sidelines looked like. Pat Riley was seated just a few rows back. Then there was Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison chopping it up courtside. But this was not social hour.
Quite a scene at the Klutch pro day in LA, where executives, coaches, and luminaries from around the NBA gathered to see Khaman Maluach, Walter Clayton, Hansen Yang, and more.
Quite a scene at the Klutch pro day in LA where executives, coaches and luminaries from around the NBA gathered to see Khaman Maluach, Walter Clayton, Hansen Yang and more. pic.twitter.com/U4h4DG1Kx2
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 21, 2025
Riley, Pelinka, and Harrison had their eyes on three names. Maluach, Clayton Jr., and Yang. Three names who are not just prospects but potential game-changers. With neither the Lakers nor Mavericks owning high picks, Riley, Pelinka, and Harrison weren’t just enjoying a show.
They were scouting to see if trading up for Maluach would be worth the gamble. If there is one thing that the world already knows, it is that Klutch’s biggest names tend to end up on big stages. But why Maluach?
Well, Maluach is a 7’2″ center from Duke. He doesn’t just have the height. He is also productive. In his freshman season at Duke, he started all 39 games and shot 71.2% from the field.
While Maluach’s scoring average of 8.6 points per game is not the greatest, he has 1.3 blocks per game and 6.6 boards a night. Maluach is raw, but he joined South Sudan’s national team at just 16, says it all. But Maluach is just one of the names.
Then there is Clayton Jr., the Florida Gators sharpshooter and NCAA champion. He is coming off a first-team All-American season. For players like Clayton, a Klutch Pro Day can tip the scales, mainly when the audience includes execs desperate for fresh talent.
There’s also Yang. The 7-footer from China has been making a lot of noise overseas. Yang might be the answer for teams hoping to find the next international breakout star.
But what makes the Klutch Pro Day truly exciting is the presence of Harrison and Pelinka together. After all, it was not long ago that the two teamed up for the deal that sent Luka Doncic to LA. With both franchises under pressure after disappointing playoff runs, every move they make is under a microscope.
KEEP READING: Florida Guard Walter Clayton Jr. Earns Jalen Brunson Compairisons Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft
The stakes could not be higher for someone like Harrison, who’s already drawn fan backlash for bold moves. Especially when Cooper Flagg, the so-called “next Wembanyama,” looms at No. 1. Does Harrison play it safe, or make another gamble that flips the league?
Klutch Pro Day is more than a workout. It’s a showcase, a pitch, and a final plea for some of these players to get on an NBA roster. Meanwhile, for the teams, it is a sneak peek into how wild draft day might get.
Whatever happens next, happens. But everyone who mattered was there, and everyone left with their scouting notebooks just a little fuller.
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