Ben Golliver highlighted Phoenix sophomore center Khaman Maluach after a four-game stint in Las Vegas, calling him the league’s most improved sophomore. The South Sudanese big, a lottery selection for the Suns, posted a strong line of 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and two blocks per game, reminding the organization why they invested a high pick in him.
Maluach’s rookie campaign was marked by scarce minutes; he logged the fewest minutes of any top-10 pick during last season’s regular schedule. The center arrived in Phoenix as the centerpiece of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, and his limited role left much of his developmental curve untapped. Despite the low usage, he showed flashes of promise with the G-League Valley Suns, where he began to hone his post game.
The Summer League performance offered a clearer picture of his ceiling. In four appearances he averaged 19.5 points on efficient shooting, pulled down 12.8 rebounds and protected the rim with two blocks per contest. Those numbers placed him at the top of the center cohort in Las Vegas and demonstrated a newfound comfort on both ends of the floor. His rebounding instincts and ability to finish around the rim suggest he could become a reliable interior presence if given sustained minutes.
Beyond the raw statistics, Maluach has displayed marked growth in schematic understanding. He appears more confident in spacing the floor with a nascent jump-shot, an asset that could open driving lanes for Phoenix’s perimeter players. Defensively, his 7-foot-1 frame and timing make him a natural deterrent in the paint, and his improved positioning hints at a potential role as a rim protector alongside veteran big Deandre Ayton. However, the Summer League is not a perfect predictor of regular-season impact, and the transition to an 82-game schedule will test his stamina and consistency.
With training camp slated to begin in roughly two months, the Suns will evaluate whether Maluach’s summer rhythm can be sustained over a full season. If he continues to refine his shooting and defensive fundamentals, he could earn a rotation spot early in the upcoming campaign. Conversely, any regression may see him return to the Valley Suns for further development. The upcoming months will determine if the lottery pick fulfills the promise shown in Las Vegas and becomes a cornerstone of Phoenix’s future.
