The Phoenix Suns proved they had one more trick up their sleeve this offseason by signing free agent center Duop Reath after losing Mark Williams to shoulder surgery. In doing so, they may have just made Khaman Maluach the third-string big man in The Valley. For those who thought he was in store for a breakout year, this may have an impact.
Maluach won't get as big a chance to impress as hoped with Reath signing
Reath has been signed to a reported one-year contract for one reason only: to bridge the gap between now and when Williams is healthy again. The franchise clearly does not believe the sophomore, who just celebrated his 20th birthday and had a nice Summer League showing, is ready to step into a larger role.
Not rushing Maluach is the correct way to play this. Going with a 30-year-old on a short-term deal is all the proof fans needed that the Suns will again try to win as many games as possible this coming season.
Developing Maluach remains secondary to the goal of trying to win with Devin Booker. Even if their biggest offseason addition in Miles Bridges feels like a lateral move.
He will still get chances to impress, and it's not like Reath is the kind of talent who can't be displaced from his position in the rotation. He burst onto the scene back in 2023-24 with the Portland Trail Blazers but failed to fully capitalize and was traded at the deadline last season. The Atlanta Hawks were the recipients, and they waived him mere days later.
If there is one area he will excel in with Head Coach Jordan Ott, it is his effort every single possession. Reath will give the Suns real energy off the bench.
He has more NBA reps than Maluach, but is clearly not the better prospect. He is a decade older, and outside of his effort and the slept-on fact that he shot 41.7 percent from deep last season, Maluach should not be worried about his long-term prospects. This coming season will be a different story, however.
Reath's fit with Oso Ighodaro should cause concern for Maluach
Third-year forward/center Oso Ighodaro is the other player currently battling for a starting berth in Phoenix, and unfortunately for Maluach, he could work both as a replacement for Reath and in tandem on the court.
As a long and springy forward with a lack of a consistent jump shot, he could line up with Reath and allow him to pop out beyond the arc while he battles inside. On nights when they are checking in for each other, their differing games would give Coach Ott more lineup versatility. Great for the Suns, not so much for Maluach.
This is a blow to how much the South Sudanese center will be able to contribute once training camp begins, but don't expect him to be relegated to the bench without a fight either.
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