Suns Predicted to 'Take it Slow' With Khaman Maluach During Rookie Season

Phoenix has also made other moves as they acquired Mark Williams, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks but they also added Khaman Malauch in the 2025 NBA Draft when they selected him 10th overall.

Maluach is set to have a large role for the Suns during his rookie season due to their struggles at the center position, though Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman believes they will take it slow with him during his rookie campaign.

“Khaman Maluach's summer league debut explained why the Phoenix Suns traded for Mark Williams,” Wasserman wrote. “The Duke product struggled with shotmaking, fouls and turnovers. Still, he should be able to give Phoenix an effective lob target and rim protection. But adding Williams suggests Phoenix plans to take it slower and think long-term with Maluach.”

Wasserman does make a great point about how adding Williams will allow the Suns to take it slower with Maluach, which may be what he needs after his struggles during the Summer League.

In Las Vegas during the Summer League, Maluach averaged 10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 35.7% from the field and 23.1% from three.

The 18-year-old center still needs to improve his shooting but he is still expected to be a reliable inside scorer and lob threat off screens next season for the Suns.

Maluach will also give Phoenix a much-needed rim protector and while he will likely begin the season in the second unit, it would not be a total surprise if he was starting games by the end of the season.