The Phoenix Suns might be months away from playing competitive basketball again, but that doesn't mean that there aren't games taking place that should interest fans in The Valley. There is national competition taking place in both Europe and Africa, and the Suns will have rookie center Khaman Maluach playing for South Sudan at AfroBasket.
The 18-year-old getting a great opportunity to improve on an offensive game that was seriously limited in Summer League, while also learning from some guys who have both league experience and exposure to playing for some of the top teams in Europe. Some may argue staying in Phoenix and working out is the move, but this is likely to be a positive endeavor for Maluach.
Suns should be keeping tabs on Wenyen Gabriel at AfroBasket.
Although the Suns let another South Sudanese international in Bol Bol leave this offseason - a decision which you could argue is the wrong one - there is another player lining up next to Maluach that the franchise should be interested in as their third center. That would be 28-year-old Wenyen Gabriel, who you might remember from his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gabriel signed with European powerhouse Bayern Munich in Germany this summer on a two-year deal, but that shouldn't deter the Suns. As is often the case - although it has not been made public at this point - players have clauses in their contracts that say if there is NBA interest, that they can leave their team in Europe and head back to the league.
Wenyen Gabriel signed a two-year contract with the club. Bayern Munich competes in the German Basketball Bundesliga and the EuroLeague. Prior to joining Bayern, Gabriel played for Panathinaikos in Greece. pic.twitter.com/mZkYIOfmZg
— Denilson Deneki Saniki (@deneki_saniki) July 8, 2025
Gabriel bounced around between 2019-2024, playing for no less than eight teams. But just like Nigel Hayes-Davis - who the Suns did sign from Europe this summer - the time could be now for him to come back for one final run. This would also have the added bonus of being a proper mentor for Maluach as well, something that cannot be overlooked with an 18-year-old prospect.
Right now Nick Richards is the presumed third option on the roster, but he is somebody many fans would love to see traded. He was reportedly part of a failed package put together for Jonathan Kuminga, so we at least know the Suns are open to moving him as soon as they can. Gabriel could do much of what Richards does, but at half the cost.
Not that the $5 million or so Richards is making is hurting the Suns anyway - they're not longer above either apron - but every little helps. Gabriel has taken more 3-pointers in a bit to prolong his career, and he'd be backing up Maluach and Mark Williams sparingly (assuming both stay healthy). There's nothing else going on right now so why not watch Gabriel for yourself and make up your own mind.