If there is one word that encapsulates the Phoenix Suns over the past few years, it is pressure. This comes from the pressure to perform well after a trip to the 2021 NBA Finals. They answered that pressure with getting Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. When they, alongside Devin Booker, fell short in replicating the joy during both seasons together, the trio disbanded.
The front office has also faced pressure over the past few years. After firing Monty Williams, who was in charge of the 2021 Western Conference Champions, it has hired three head coaches in the last three years. Plus, the ownership group, led by Mat Ishbia, find themselves riddled in lawsuits and publicly objecting predictions of a subpar season from “so-called experts.”
The Suns may be ready for a reset.
Why Suns’ Khaman Maluach Is Most Important Rookie This Decade
Enter Khaman Maluach, who has faced pressure for most of his life.
Born in South Sudan, he fled to Uganda with his family, and only started playing basketball at the age of 12. After spending some time with NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, he joined the Duke Blue Devils in 2024, starting for one of the most prestigious college basketball programs in the country.
Thanks to his combination of hype, potential and steady progression, Maluach was drafted 10th overall by the Houston Rockets and sent to the Valley as part of Durant’s trade to Space City. The Sudanese center’s presence on the team is crucial for the Suns’ future and how bright it may become.
Why Khaman Maluach Is The Suns’ Most Important Rookie This Decade
The Suns Need Help At The Rim
Over the past few years, the Suns ability to make the playoffs has been dependent on their forwards and centers. Durant provided that outlet since joining in Feb. 2023, averaging at least 26 points per game each season, while receiving two NBA All-Star selections.
After averaging 8.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game with Duke last season, Maluach is not the lone fix to Durant’s departure. However, he’s still an immediate asset. Standing at 7-foot-2, he’s the tallest player on the team, and he has solid weight at 250 pounds. Though he’s truly still growing into his body, he can help Phoenix with their rebounding. Adding those extra possessions as well as walling off defenders so that the Suns can reset the offense gives more opportunities to Jalen Green and Booker.
Despite all of that, there’s uncertainty about what Maluach’s role will be with several centers on the roster. This may not count Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, who are likely to play power forward. It does include two solid big men Mark Williams and Nick Richards.
All Eyes On 2032
Who knows what Phoenix will look like in 2032. All that considered, they currently don’t control a first-round draft pick until that year, thanks to their acquisitions of Durant and Beal. Therefore, getting a rookie –let alone three with Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea –is a surprise.
What’s even more shocking is the number of top-10 draft picks that play their rookie season in the Valley.
In the last 10 years, the Suns have drafted five: Jalen Smith, Jarrett Culver, Deandre Ayton, Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender. Of those five players, only one, Ayton, is still in the league. Two, Ayton and Jackson, averaged double-figures in scoring during their time in Phoenix.
As it stands right now, this era only gets one attempt to get it right for the rest of the decade. Of course, Maluach could have a stint like Ayton’s, finding a way to connect to Booker and Green with passes up top and adding second-chance points. Nonetheless, his college stats suggest he could have a tough transition to the NBA.
Recent Returns
Among the five top-10 picks that have played for the Suns, the best return on investment arguably came from the player that never suited up for them. Culver was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2019 NBA Draft. In return, the Suns picked up Dario Šarić and the 11th overall pick, which was used on Cameron Johnson. They were both formidable role players in the 2021 NBA Finals run.
Maluach has enough upside to produce numbers similar to Šarić or Johnson. Right now, it won’t matter as much due to Phoenix’s current lack of star power. But mimicking that production, particularly with Green and Dillon Brooks being included in the deal, is ideal.
The Last Word On Khaman Maluach
More importantly, recent contenders and dynasties show the importance of draft pick deals such as Maluach’s. For example, take the Oklahoma City Thunder. Six years ago, they traded Paul George to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a plethora of draft picks that built their current core.
The Suns have Booker and Green. As they’ve seen stars come and go, a trade similar to the one that delivered the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy to the Sooner State could happen in Phoenix.
Whether Maluach is a part of that new era or just passing through is yet to be decided. A young core creates a certain sense of excitement, a desire to at least give them a chance. With that in mind, one that could see the 18-year-old as a trailblazer or a leader, perhaps decreasing some of the pressure surrounding the team. That’s heavy weight for his high shoulders but one that could lift the Suns in The Valley.
© Joel Angel Juarez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
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