Currently projected between 6 and 12, Khaman Maluach could be the Big Man version of Giannis at the 10th pick in this year’s draft.
The Phoenix Suns‘ rebuild is just beginning, but they may have found their next franchise big man.
With the Suns trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, most fans are focused on Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the hope of reclaiming cap flexibility. But the most important piece of that trade? It might just be a teenager.
With the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Suns have a chance to reshape their future, and there’s one name Suns fans should be circling. Let me introduce you to Duke’s other teenage phenom, 19-year-old Khaman Maluach.
Khaman Maluach
Let’s start with the physicals:
Maluach currently stands at 7 feet 2 inches, weighs 250 pounds, and has a 7-foot-7 wingspan. And he’s only 19 years old. Oh…and he’s still growing.
That kind of frame doesn’t come along often, and what makes it even more wild is that he’s only been playing organized basketball for five years. Born in South Sudan, Maluach was discovered through the NBA Academy Africa, rose to prominence in FIBA play, and most recently, turned heads at Duke University in his freshman season.
He averaged:
- 7.6 points
- 6.2 rebounds
- 2.3 blocks
- 64% shooting from the field
He had multiple breakout performances, including:
- 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting vs. Florida State
- 14 rebounds vs. Syracuse
- 7 blocks vs. Louisville
In short, the flashes are there. And they’re loud.
The Ringer
He’s Not Rudy Gobert — He Moves Like a Wing
When fans see a 7’2” shot-blocker with a long wingspan, Rudy Gobert comparisons start flying. But here’s the difference:
Khaman Maluach was a soccer player growing up, and a good one.
He’s got polished footwork, smooth lateral movement, and the kind of defensive mobility that Gobert simply doesn’t have. Maluach can switch onto guards, recover in space, and doesn’t get exposed in pick-and-roll coverage. His hips are fluid, his timing is elite, and his recovery ability is eye-opening for a teenager his size.
In today’s NBA — where switching and versatility on defense is everything — Maluach is a rare blend of size and agility.
He’s Not Deandre Ayton — He Brings the Fire! Intensity, Hustle, Motor
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
This isn’t a big man who takes plays off.
Maluach plays with real intensity.
In a March game vs. UNC, he contested a corner three, then sprinted full-court to swat a transition layup off the glass — only to turn around and finish a tip-dunk on the other end within 10 seconds. The hustle is real. The motor is non-stop.
That’s exactly the kind of effort that Phoenix hoped they’d get from Deandre Ayton…but never fully did.
Booker + Maluach = The Combo We’ve Been Waiting For
The Suns have always searched for the perfect big to pair with Devin Booker — someone who defends the paint, finishes lobs, and stays engaged on both ends.
That wasn’t Ayton.
But it could be Maluach.
Imagine the high pick-and-rolls. The rim protection on the other end. The fast breaks where Maluach is trailing for putback dunks. His game complements Booker’s in a way that allows both to shine.
He doesn’t need 20 touches to make an impact. He just needs a team to believe in his potential — and let him run.
Will He Be There at 10? Let’s Cheer Like It
Maluach is projected anywhere from #8 to #12 in most mocks. Here are the teams we need to be watching on Wednesday and cheering with every pick that isn’t Maluach:
Washington (6): They seem locked in on Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears, but if the best pure scorer in Tre Johnson is there, it’s going to be hard for them to pass up. Hopefully, this is too soon for Maluach, but he has been rising on boards, so you never know.
New Orleans (7): Kasparas Jakucionis from Illinois would be a smart pick for the Pels here, a 6’6” true point guard and floor general is a great prospect. If they do take Maluach, Jakucionis wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize for the Suns at 10, tons of upside.
Brooklyn (8): This is the first spot where Maluach has a strong chance of being selected. The Nets need help everywhere, so they could go with him, take a point guard like Fears if he’s still on the board, or target a wing. Let’s just hope they don’t take Maluach.
Toronto (9): This is the pick that worries me most. The Raptors might be eyeing Carter Bryant out of Arizona, a forward who fits some of their needs, but they don’t seem locked in on anyone yet. I’ve already seen a few posts from Raptors fans calling for Maluach at 9, and that’s what really has me on edge.
If those teams go elsewhere, there’s a real shot Maluach slides to 10, and if he does, the Suns need to run to the podium.
History Says You Can Find Stars at 10–15. Not just stars, but Championship-winning League MVP superstars. We may not be able to draft Cooper Flagg, but we could still walk away with a future MVP at 10. Just as a reminder of how valuable a pick at 10 could be for the Suns, here are just some of the All-Stars and League MVPs drafted between picks 10 and 15:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (15th)
- Devin Booker (13th)
- Kawhi Leonard (15th)
- Paul George (10th)
- Karl Malone (13th)
- Donovan Mitchell (13th)
- Tyrese Haliburton (12th)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11th)
The ceiling for Maluach? An NBA All-Star. A potential Defensive Player of the Year. If he’s the Big Man Giannis, maybe even a future MVP. That’s how good this kid can be. Higher-motor, much more angry, explosive dunker, taller, longer, and defensively more gifted version of Deandre Ayton.
His floor? A less offensively talented version of Deandre Ayton. Less scoring, but still more defense, and more effort.
That’s worth betting on.
Final Thoughts
Jalen Green will be our second-best scorer behind Booker.
Dillon Brooks will be the veteran who sets the new defensive tone for the Suns.
But Khaman Maluach could become the player who defines this new Suns era. The return of the young and fun Valley Suns 2.0. The Suns with fresh, young, talented faces with tons of upside who hustle and play defense.
If he’s there at 10, it might not just be the best pick for the Suns; he may actually turn out to be the best player in the draft, and most importantly, it may be the beginning of something special again in Phoenix.
What do you think?
Would you take Khaman Maluach at #10 over a more polished wing?
Do you think his upside justifies the risk at this point in the draft?
Could he really become Booker’s long-term frontcourt partner?
Let us know in the comments!
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