TEMPE – The recent move from the Phoenix Suns was a quiet one, though it may end up being their most pivotal. Phoenix has assigned Khaman Maluach and Rasheed Fleming, two highest-ceiling rookies in the 2025 class, to the Valley Suns for their NBA G League home opener. This move isn’t about hiding them. It’s about unleashing them.
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Nov 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) tries to block the shot of San Antonio Spurs forward David Jones Garcia (25) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Phoenix drafted both players, knowing they weren’t rotation locks at the beginning of the season. Maluach’s defensive instincts are elite, but his timing, physical strength, and offensive spacing are still growing. Fleming, meanwhile, flashes the slashing and connective playmaking that modern wings thrive on, but he needs real, uninterrupted reps to sharpen decision-making. Those reps simply don’t exist on a roster headlined by veterans trying to build a new culture.
Oct 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts as he collides with Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) alongside forward Isaiah Livers (18) during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
What makes this move strategically sharp is that Phoenix isn’t taking the G League lightly; they are treating it as a lab. Phoenix rookies who spent meaningful time with the Valley Suns returned with improved defensive positioning, better pace control, and clearer reads in pick-and-roll situations. That’s exactly the developmental pathway Maluach and Fleming need.
Oct 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Rasheer Fleming (20) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
For Phoenix fans, this is about seeing how its newest rookies perform against other emerging NBA talent and their ability to develop over the course of a season. In a Western Conference dictated by size and depth, the Suns can’t afford to let potential sit by and kick back. A future anchored by Maluach, or a wing rotation boosted by a more polished Fleming, could become the backbone of Phoenix’s next era. The Suns aren’t sending their rookies down. They’re pulling them forward.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
