PHOENIX – Searching for consistency at the center position has been a long-standing problem for the Phoenix Suns until recently. Talent has never been the issue over the years, but longevity, development, and fit have. Khaman Maluach’s All-Summer League Second Team selection suggests the organization may finally be turning a corner.
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Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) warms up during a game against the Bucks at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on March 21, 2026. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The honor itself is impressive, but the production behind it is what should excite Suns fans. Maluach didn’t simply put together highlight plays; he dominated the areas that consistently translate from Summer League to the NBA. Rebounding, rim protection, and efficient scoring remain the foundation of winning basketball, and he excelled in all three. Leading Las Vegas with 12.8 rebounds per game while averaging 19.5 points and recording four straight double-doubles isn’t a statistical fluke. It reflects motor, discipline and an understanding of how to impact games without needing the offense built around him.
Oct 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) against the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix doesn’t need Maluach to become a high-impact scorer immediately. They need him to become a dependable interior presence capable of changing possessions on both ends. His ability to protect the rim, stretch the floor with respectable three-point shooting, and control the glass gives the Suns lineup flexibility they have lacked.
Dec 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) against the Los Angeles Lakers at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It also creates a promising duo with Mark Williams. Rather than viewing the position as settled, Phoenix suddenly has two centers with complementary strengths capable of earning minutes based on matchups. The best teams rarely rely on one answer; they create internal competition that raises everyone’s level. For Suns fans, this is the bigger takeaway. Maluach’s breakout Summer League wasn’t simply about earning postseason recognition; it was about proving he may be ahead of schedule. If these habits carry into the regular season, the award will be remembered not as the peak of his summer, but as the first sign of a breakout rookie campaign that helps reshape Phoenix’s future.
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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
