Training camp is underway for the Phoenix Suns, and they are already putting in the work. Khaman Maluach is not getting ahead of himself even though he's been anointed as the player who can help raise the ceiling of this franchise. He is not making any assumptions about what his role could be this season, despite starting big Mark Williams being lost to a shoulder injury.
Maluach keeping feet on ground and continuing to work
Speaking to the media during media day, Maluach was quick to let everybody know that he wants to help the Suns win, no matter what that looks like for him personally. Transcribed by Phoenix Suns on SI's Brendan Mau:
"It's an opportunity for me to step up, but I'm here to do whatever it takes, what the team needs, what the team needs on a different night, what I gotta do for my team to win."
This is an excellent approach from the 20-year-old, who, coming off a strong Summer League display and with everyone from General Manager Brian Gregory to Pat Spencer raving about his abilities and energy, would have had every right to be feeling himself.
Particularly as he has quickly emerged as the lone shining light for the future in The Valley, given that they wrestle with the uncomfortable reality that Devin Booker is about to turn 30. Oso Ighodaro is the only person stopping him from starting on opening night. Compare that to his rookie campaign, in which he only started a single game and featured in 46 contests; that is a major turnaround.
But Head Coach Jordan Ott has shown he trusts Ighodaro to step up when required, while there are both small-ball and defensive-minded groups that could have massive success and which do not all feature Maluach. The fact that he has already accepted this and just wants to play no matter the role is exactly how a youngster should be approaching their second professional season.
Williams will struggle to wrestle minutes back from Maluach
Whenever Williams does return, and we could be looking at a five-month layoff, he will have some ground to make up on Maluach, even if he is still coming off the bench. Fresh off inking a three-year, $38 million extension, the timing of his shoulder issue has allowed the South Sudanese big man to gain some significant ground on him.
He is younger, more physically imposing, and, best of all, currently has the durability to get through a long season. All qualities that should see Maluach slide into the starting berth sooner rather than later.
Not that his focus is on that particular goal as training camp kicks into full gear. That is a tricky conversation for another day.
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