Suns got an absolute steal in the 2025 NBA Draft - and it wasn't Khaman Maluach

The Phoenix Suns ultimately managed to turn Kevin Durant into a trio of rookies, but none have more pressure on them to succeed than Khaman Maluach. That comes with the territory when you're a top 10 pick in the NBA Draft - and at just 18-years-old - the upside of the South Sudanese big man is obvious.

From the perspective of the franchise, they also need Maluach to pop because he fills a real position of need for them. Not since Deandre Ayton was selected first overall by them have they had a big man with so much promise, having struck out on so many duds in between. Jusuf Nurkic for example - although perhaps prematurely axed - is best forgotten about.

Koby Brea is the youngster who should excite Suns fans the most.

If you tuned into the Suns' Summer League play, then you would have quickly established that two-way player Koby Brea is the rookie that fans should be most excited about. We know it takes big men a while to establish themselves in the league - if they ever figure it out at all - while Rasheer Fleming didn't play enough to form an opinion just yet.

Brea on the other hand after one game had us giddy with his "Booker-Lite" impression, he sure did look like franchise cornerstone Devin Booker with some of his midrange game and even the way he got into his shooting motion. The shot itself is as pure as you're going to see, and Brea looked extremely comfortable knocking down shots from beyond the arc.

Will this translate seamlessly to the NBA? Of course not, but it doesn't have to either. It's not like there's that pressure that Maluach faces on Brea, and he's going to split his time between the Suns and the G League too. But there was a nonchalant manner to how he played that didn't seem cocky at all, rather of a youngster full of confidence who knows what he can bring to the team.

The re-introduction of point guard Jordan Goodwin to The Valley - an excellent move by the front office - will also have a positive impact on Brea too. From an off the court perspective, who better than a 26-year-old who has struggled to find a home in recent seasons despite giving his all to learn how unforgiving this league can be?

The Suns have also quietly added defensive-minded players this offseason - including Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams - to pair with second years Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. Goodwin fits the bill as well, and all of these teammates will allow Brea to be the best version of himself offensively. Something that wouldn't have been the case while Durant and Bradley Beal were in town.

Not only that, but Brea's play has already made Grayson Allen's future in Phoenix uncertain, which is great news for an organization that wants to move toward a brighter future. Brea's size means there could yet be some untapped potential defensively, although it will take some time to tease that out if it exists. He's the most exciting rookie the Suns have on their books this season for good reason.