Phoenix Suns Rookie Watch - Khaman Maluach

The Phoenix Suns are a mess, and that might be exactly what Khaman Maluach needs. After the spectacular failure of their Durant-Booker-Beal experiment, the franchise essentially hit reset. For most organizations, that would spell disaster. For a 19-year-old rookie with unlimited potential and zero expectations? It's a great opportunity. 

Acquired from Houston in a record-setting seven-team, twelve-player trade, Maluach, the tenth pick from the 2025 NBA Draft, arrives in Phoenix to a team that is in search of a new identity. The great thing is that, unlike the last couple of seasons, the pressure is off. There's no playoff push demanding immediate contributions, no veteran stars breathing down his neck for minutes. For a player in need of development time on a team that finished near the bottom defensively, it is exactly where a 7'2" shot-altering presence can make his mark.

Maluach’s numbers during his one-and-done season with the Duke Blue Devils weren’t eye-popping, averaging just 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in limited minutes behind future lottery picks. However, head coach Jon Scheyer didn't need him to score; he needed him to learn and develop. What surprised many was that Maluach declared for the NBA Draft after just one season in Durham. The patient approach will likely continue in Phoenix, where Mark Williams and Nick Richards provide veteran experience ahead of him on the depth chart.

What makes Maluach intriguing isn't just his freakish measurements, with a 7'5" wingspan and 9'8" reach, but his basketball IQ and international work ethic developed through his time playing in the Basketball Africa League and the South Sudan national team. He understands his role: pick-and-roll threat offensively, rim protection defensively, and a developmental project long-term.

With his raw talent, age, and inexperience with the North American game, the Suns will likely take their time with Maluach this season. While there will likely be nights in which Williams will either be hurt or taking load management rest, Maluach shouldn’t expect too much floor time when the team is at full health. 

Sometimes, the best thing for a lottery pick is landing on a team with nothing to lose. With that mentality and freedom to learn from his mistakes, look for Maluach to average 6 points, 5 rebounds, and a block per game during his rookie season.