The Phoenix Suns managed to do something that nobody thought possible this offseason, and that was somehow nab a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. There had to be some upside to moving on from Kevin Durant - and while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green are both guys who can help the team win games now - a future prospect with a ton of upside is what was needed in The Valley.
Even better that it came at a position where the organization has struggled since trading away Deandre Ayton, with 19-year-old South Sudanese prospect Khaman Maluach the apparent answer to their prayers. His Summer League showing was shaky at best - even getting into simple offensive moves looked awkward - but there was no denying the imposing frame that he possesses.
Maluach will spend time in the G League this season.
The Suns also did the right thing - from the perspective of Maluach's development at least - in trading for another big man in Mark Williams who can immediately start and take the pressure off the 10th overall pick. That's if Williams can remain healthy - and despite being only 23-years-old - that is far from a given. Which makes his extension with the franchise a thorny issue to watch.
No matter how Williams ultimately fares in Phoenix, you can be sure that the coaching staff are going to take the decision to send Maluach to the G League for some reps at some point during the season. This is not a reason to panic, and in actual fact is a sensible approach to bringing him along slowly, even at a time when expectations have been massively lowered.
At first i didn’t see what the hype was about Khaman Maluach until i took a closer look!!!
— Drenchmansports (@drenchmansports) September 20, 2025
He shuts down entire possessions and flips the game on its head.
The Suns got a day-one impact player!!👇 pic.twitter.com/SKcpeStsCA
When the regular season finally gets underway, the Suns' first two games will pit them against the Sacramento Kings and L.A. Clippers. Maluach isn't likely to start either game, but even if he plays 15 minutes the opponent on each night is sure to try and pick on him and give Maluach a "welcome to the league" moment.
Both teams have centers who represent vastly different challenges as well, and there are few more complete offensive players at the position than Domantas Sabonis. His strength is under-appreciated if anything, but through his footwork, passing out of the post and game around the rim, he can tie accomplished veterans up in knots. Maluach is going to seriously struggle against that.
Then there is Ivica Zubac of the Clippers, a brute coming off a career season. The prospect of going hard to Maluach is surely an enticing one, and it will be interesting to see how he responds. Keep in mind, that is the first two contests of an 82 game slate. Imagine when Nikola Jokic is backing him down under the basket. Even Ayton is going to bring his A game for that matchup when it happens.
So giving him a chance to go down to the G League to get his bearings - and also bully some smaller guys in the process - will do his confidence the world of good. The rookie wall hits every youngster as well, and Maluach is going to be no exception. Even if he manages to surprise everybody and holds his own against Sabonis and Zubac - a massive ask - some time away will still happen.
When it does, social media is going to be awash with rival fans calling the big man a bust, that's just the name of the game. But Suns fans don't have to worry because this is normal, and will probably be necessary too. It takes years for centers to reach their full potential - and for now at least and as long as Booker isn't complaining about it - the Suns have all the time in the world.