Khaman Maluach kept making the same point in Summer League: the Suns may need to get him on the floor more.
Phoenix’s first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft flashed the kind of two-way upside that turns heads fast. At 19, he showed the size, energy and awareness that have people talking about him as a potential premier rim protector, and he also showed enough touch to step out and knock down open 3-pointers in Las Vegas.
That performance was strong enough to draw praise from ESPN’s Ben Golliver, who wrote: "Maluach boasts an impressive physique, and he displayed improved awareness and good energy on both ends during an excellent run at summer league. The 19-year-old big man does most of his scoring around the basket, but he was also able to step out and make open 3-pointers in Las Vegas,"
Golliver also laid out the case for a bigger role this season: "Maluach could potentially represent the best of both worlds as a stretch option who fits Ott's vision and a big-bodied defender who can shore up Phoenix's paint defense. While it might not fully come together during the 2026-27 season given his youth, the Suns should dramatically expand his role to see how quickly he can become a reliable difference-maker."
Maluach also finished atop our own Suns player rankings after Summer League. Brendan Mau wrote: "Maluach's impressive performance is going to leave the Suns with a tough decision to make at the center position between him, Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro," our own Brendan Mau wrote.
"With that said, it's a good problem to have and the Suns will be very happy if last year's No. 10 overall pick continues to develop and perform like this, especially if it can happen on a bigger stage."
That bigger stage, though, may not come easily.
Jordan Ott is expected to open the season with Mark Williams in the starting role, especially after Williams signed a contract extension. When healthy, Williams is described as an above-serviceable big man. Ott is also said to be a big believer in Oso Ighodaro, whose athletic, rim-running style remains part of the plan.
That leaves Maluach in a crowded center picture, and right now he still looks like the project in the group. He got just nine minutes per night last season, and the question now is whether that number climbs.
The answer may depend on whether Phoenix makes a move in the center room or whether Maluach forces the issue himself. For now, the talent is obvious. The minutes are not.
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