Why the Phoenix Suns cannot afford to keep Khaman Maluach on the bench

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PHOENIX – When the Suns drafted Khaman Maluach, they weren’t just taking a chance; they were investing in a player with the rare mix of size, mobility, and defensive feel that modern NBA teams crave. Yet as Phoenix fights through a season with uncertain expectations, Maluach has mostly watched from the bench.

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Phoenix’s rotation is built with the veterans Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks with the star power of Jalen Green, but the Suns’ Achilles’ heel has been rim protection and rebounding, areas where Maluach could quietly shift the team’s defensive ceiling. His presence alone would alter shot selection and tempo, giving Phoenix a vertical edge it currently lacks.

For Suns fans, Maluach represents hope, an unpolished but thrilling reminder of what’s next. The tension between contending now and building later isn’t new in Phoenix, but it’s sharper than ever after all of the recent struggles over the last few years. The fact that the Suns drafted Maluach along with getting center Mark Williams in a trade, raised a lot of questions from Suns fans.

Phoenix Suns fans speak on Khaman Maluach’s absence:

We drafted Khaman Maluach in the top 10 why are we not playing him 😡

— 👁️ ☄️ (@applejack10_) October 30, 2025

Nigel Hayes-Davis : 5 G, 12.6 MPG
Isaiah Livers : 3 G, 11.4 MPG
Oso Ighodaro(awful at center) : 5 G, 17.7 MPG

Rasheer Fleming : 2 G, 6.6 MPG, only in garbage time
Khaman Maluach : 2 G, 8.7 MPG, more than half in garbage time

Are we gonna develop our most promising youngsters?

— Crobin Carol fan account (@FrenchValleyFR) October 30, 2025

They promised us Khaman Maluach and Mark Williams double-big lineups but gave us Oso and Nick Richards instead.

This one’s on Ott.#TOOO#TTTT

— Xin Varlock (@XinNBA) October 28, 2025

If the Suns continue to ignore Maluach’s potential, they risk giving him the exposure and experience he needs to grow. Making sure Maluach is growing behind Mark Williams is going to be paramount for his success in the future. If they trust him, give him minutes, and let him grow, they might find their defensive anchor for a long time, right now. On the other hand, if Phoenix keeps going small while surrendering the paint, expect fans to start asking louder about when Khaman Maluach will finally get his shot.

Phoenix Suns seek payback against Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz on Friday

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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen