PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns got one of the biggest steals in the 2025 NBA draft with 10th pick Khaman Maluach. The former Duke Blue Devil was touted to go as early as sixth overall, but he feel to Phoenix in the double digits and is viewed as a key piece for the franchises future. Analysts were confused with the Maluach selection, after the Suns traded for center Mark Williams a few minutes prior.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The center rotation is now crowded with Maluach, Williams, Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro. However, the South Sudan native is only 19 years old and is still a raw prospect, which was illustrated in Summer League. Maluach will not share some of the heavy minutes compared to his lottery pick peers, but he can still make a major impact with the time on the court he receives.
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) is introduced to the fans during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Maluach stats prediction for his rookie season with Suns:
- MPG: 21.2 MPG
- PPG: 6.6
- RPG: 6.9
- BPG: 1.2
- FG%: 61%
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) dunks against the Houston Cougars= in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Last year’s first round pick Ryan Dunn averaged 19.1 minutes per game, which is where Maluach will be hovering around in his rookie season. In his three Summer League games, Maluach recorded 10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 35.7% shooting. Assistant coach DeMarre Carroll wanted the seven-footer to shoot more 3-pointers while in Vegas, leading to the low shooting percentage.
Playing with and against other NBA-level talent will limit his outside shooting and his scoring. Maluach’s offensive game just isn’t at the level of his peers and will need to time to develop. His scoring will rely mostly on others until he can develop and effective post moves.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) shoots against Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The Suns didn’t draft Maluach for his offensive game anyways, they snagged him for his nine-foot-eight standing reach and 7’7 wingspan. He illustrated during the NCAA tournament his rim protection on a national stage, and continue to show that strength in Summer League. Maluach’s foot speed is still a tad behind other NBA caliber talent, which might lead to a slow start defensively but will surely find his footing by season’s end.
The goal for Maluach is to strive for one of the All-Rookie teams. He has the similar mechanics as last year’s 2nd-team All-Rookie Yves Missi. Maluach won’t have the same amount of opportunities, as the New Orleans Pelicans was destroyed by injuries. However, his defensive impact can overshadowed some of the offensive shortcomings that are expected in his rookie campaign with the Suns.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
