Starting today and continuing each day, we’ll spotlight a different member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns roster, analyzing their contributions and potential roles as training camp and the preseason approach.
Khaman Maluach, a 7’1″, 250-pound center entering his second NBA season at age 20, is poised for increased responsibility. Last season, the Suns deliberately developed him slowly, especially after acquiring Mark Williams on draft night—the same night Maluach was picked 10th overall. Williams, a key asset from the Kevin Durant trade with Houston, was expected to share major duties at center, but his recent torn labrum has shifted those expectations onto Maluach. Alongside Oso Ighodaro and newly added Duop Reath as backup, Maluach is now expected to see significantly more minutes. The Suns’ coaching staff will need to decide how much trust to place in him early on, likely viewing Reath more as insurance than a primary contributor.
Last season, Phoenix was cautious with Maluach’s minutes, focusing on veteran reliability under coach Jordan Ott. He played over 15 minutes in only nine games and surpassed 20 minutes just four times. Nonetheless, he showed promise late in the year, including an 18-point, 14-rebound performance in the season finale and a strong 12-point, 9-rebound game against Utah. With Williams sidelined, Maluach is expected to become a regular, logging 20+ minutes nightly.
Stats from last season highlight his limited but efficient play: over 46 games, he averaged 8.9 minutes, 3.0 points, and 2.9 rebounds per game with a 53.3% field goal percentage. As a rookie on his scale contract, Maluach will earn about $6.3 million in 2026-27, reflecting typical pay for a 10th overall draft pick.
What Maluach offers is a rare combination of size, athleticism, and versatility. He moves fluidly for a big man, can finish with strength or finesse, deters shots defensively, and serves as a potential rim protector and lob target. Though he saw limited NBA action last year, his summer league run—where he averaged 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game—earned him Second Team All-Summer League honors and showcased his potential. The Suns will rely on him to defend elite Western Conference bigs, be a reliable lob target for stars like Devin Booker and Jalen Green, and develop a dependable three-point shot.
However, there are clear areas for improvement. Maluach sometimes struggles with defensive rotations, particularly on the perimeter, and shows inexperience with timing and positioning—a normal part of growth for a young center adapting to the NBA. His success depends on cultivating these instincts over time, something the coaching staff believes he can achieve. ESPN’s recent three-year outlook ranked the Suns 26th overall but pointed to Maluach as a key hope for the franchise’s future, underscoring how critical his development is for the team’s trajectory amid limited draft capital in upcoming years.
Looking ahead, Maluach is projected to be the Suns’ starting center and play a pivotal role in their success, a thesis only reinforced by Williams’ injury. Expectations for the coming season are roughly 77 games played, with averages of 9.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks per game, and shooting splits around 55% FG, 34% from three, and 78% from the free-throw line.
Ultimately, Maluach doesn’t need to perform at an All-Star level immediately—what matters most is that he consistently builds trust with his coaches and confidence in his abilities. His consistency, confidence, and early flashes of dominance will be crucial indicators of the promising future that lies ahead. With all the tools to become a standout center, it’s now Maluach’s moment to step up and make his mark.
Fan Take: Khaman Maluach’s progression matters because the Suns are banking on him to become a foundational piece as they navigate a competitive Western Conference landscape. If he fulfills his potential, it could signal the rise of a new star big man who brings excitement and skill to the league, impacting how teams value and develop young centers in the modern NBA.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
