Khaman Maluach is exactly where he is supposed to be

The Phoenix Suns are have a much better season so far than anybody could have envisioned, but rookie center Khaman Maluach has barely featured for the team. The 19-year-old having spent some time down in the G League already, a move we told you was going to happen months ago.

Maluach's development progressing as expected.

Although some fans have voiced concerns about the lack of impact the big man has had on a supposedly rebuilding roster, he is actually exactly where he is supposed to be for a number of reasons, and his development with the Valley Suns shouldn't stop here either.

The two key reasons that the Suns can afford to bring Maluach along slowly - which you always shoule with a player so young - are because their roster is winning games at a time when few thought they would. Veterans like Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks and even Collin Gillespie making this group competitive every night.

Fellow center Mark Williams has been a key piece of this resurgence, and the fact he has been so durable to this point has also meant there has been no pressure on Maluach to contribute. Most everybody expected him to miss time through injury, and although he is still being held out of back-to-backs, that has yet to happen.

The franchise also has a competent backup in Nick Richards to call upon, although his time in The Valley could be coming to an end. Then there is sophomore forward Oso Ighodaro, and although his time as the starting big man did not go well, remains an option off the bench.

So while his teammates are winning games, the raw prospect is averaging eight points, 5.5 rebounds and a monstrous 2.5 blocks against opposition he can bully. This will do his confidence the world of good, and you can be sure he will be given other chances to show what he can do throughout the season.

The final piece of the puzzle here - and it will take some time to get right - is Maluach figuring out how to play in head coach Jordan Ott's schemes on both ends of the court. Coach Ott is quietly emerging as a Coach of the Year candidate for how he has steadied the ship, but he's relying on a method used by current Suns' consultant Steve Clifford.

The three rookies that the organization added this offseason are either in the G League or barely play, while Ighodaro has been moved to the bench and fellow second year forward Ryan Dunn is out with a wrist injury. Which leaves the remaining players veterans who know how to win games.

That won't always be enough to get it done, but it is a lot easier to implement a vision with players like Williams, Collin Gillespie, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen than it is five guys who are either in their first or second years in the league.

Phoenix has quickly become the ideal spot for Maluach to develop, both because the coaching staff are leaning on veterans and as a result of Williams being so dominant. Leave him in the G League a while longer, he'll be back with the Suns proper soon.