This Phoenix Suns Player Has Most To Prove This Season

It's no secret that Khaman Maluach is a vital piece for the Phoenix Suns moving into a future where the organization is set on bringing an NBA title to the city.

Maluach, the 10th overall pick in last June's NBA Draft, flashed brilliance in his rookie year (particularly in the G-League), but faces more hurdles to climb during the 2026-27 campaign.

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report has increased the pressure that the second-year big faces heading into October, as he is labeled Phoenix's player with the most to prove.

The logic is sound behind this selection. The Suns and GM Brian Gregory handed incumbent starting center Mark Williams a three-year contract as an obvious act of keeping insurance around the organization. 

Another valid pointer is that the Duke product often looked overwhelmed playing at NBA level speed, which shouldn't be unexpected for a rather inexperienced player relative to everyone else in the league. Maluach did manage to come into his own in July's Summer League action, as he averaged nearly 20 points per game while shooting over 40% from three-point range. This is encouraging, but he also must scale-up to consistent NBA competition in the months ahead.

Everything that has been aforementioned only heightens the pressure that he is facing, however, as the 7-footer became the first lottery selection to go directly to Phoenix since Jalen Smith in the 2020 rendition of the draft. For as seldom as the Suns draft in the lottery, they must hit on the opportunities that they receive, as it can be argued that they would still be in title contention had they taken Tyrese Haliburton over Smith back in 2020.

Maluach simply has to take a step forward in order for management and ownership to feel confident that there is a light at the end of the tunnel moving forward. Rookie Koa Peat, second-year wing Rasheer Fleming, and third year duo Oso Ighodaro/Ryan Dunn all face varying degrees of pressure to improve the Suns' outlook, but none are quite as outward as Maluach.

If Phoenix is wrong about placing faith in Maluach, it will once again serve as a setback for an organization that is attempting to justify continuing an attempt to build a viable contender around franchise player Devin Booker.

The first attempt to see Maluach in game action in an October 5 game against the Detroit Pistons.