After a quiet rookie season, Khaman Maluach is leveraging a relentless work ethic and elite physical tools to anchor the Phoenix Suns' future as a versatile, two-way force.
One of the defining players of the Brian Gregory era for the Phoenix Suns is abundantly clear, even one year after the promising prospect was acquired via trade.
Second-year center Khaman Maluach will always be directly tied to the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets last summer, as the Duke product was the lone draft pick that Phoenix got back in return for a future hall-of-fame talent.
Maluach went into his rookie campaign being seen as a player with tantalizing upside, however he was also seen by the consensus as a raw talent that would need time and great care in order to grow into his own.
That was displayed in 2025-26, as the 7-footer played in just 46 NBA contests, although he excelled in G-League action for the Valley Suns.
Now, the ultimate goal is for the South Sudanese national to be prepared to take on a more expansive role - his journey to cracking Jordan Ott's rotation will begin on Friday, when he suits up for the Suns' Summer League squad.
Maluach spoke about his practicing habits over the course of the offseason with Phoenix media on Monday, with Hayden Cilley of Clutch Points capturing a bold statement that he has been at the practice facility virtually every single day since the Suns' season ended in April.
Maluach's work ethic has been lauded by virtually every member of the organization who has been asked - he simply desires to be great, and that tidbit is half of the battle in developing a player.
Beyond this, Maluach possesses a skillset that is highly coveted amongst modern day front office members. Maluach moves fluidly on the court at virtually any given time, while he is also a feared rim protector by virtue of a gargantuan wingspan and has an impressive vertical. Offensively, Maluach is a gifted offensive rebounder and play finisher, while also showing legitimate tools as a ball handler.
While Maluach's three-point shot is still coming along, he has also displayed a soft touch and sound mechanics in that front.
While the second-year star undoubtedly carries concerns that will have to be disproven in the years ahead, he also possesses the talent and drive to be Phoenix's next breakout star - a player that can truly serve as a building block in re-establishing the Suns as a true contender as Devin Booker's prime continues to move along.
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Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X @khicks_21.
