The Suns have drafted Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick.
Maluach was considered by many draft experts to be the top center among 2025’s draft-eligible prospects after starting 39 games as a freshman for a Duke team that made it to the Final Four. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.2 minutes per contest for the Blue Devils.
While Maluach’s box-score numbers don’t jump off the page, he has an impressive frame – a height of 7’1″ and a wingspan of 7’7″ – and could excel in the NBA as a defensive anchor and a rim-runner and lob threat on offense. The South Sudanese big man, who won’t turn 19 until September, has also shown some shooting potential and is one of the youngest players in the draft, notes ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
The Suns acquired the 10th pick as part of the Kevin Durant trade with Houston. Phoenix also acquired Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and several second-rounders as part of that blockbuster deal.
Just before Maluach was selected, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported (via Twitter) that the Suns have traded the 29th pick in this draft as well as a 2029 first-round pick for Hornets center Mark Williams. The ’29 pick, Shams tweets, is top-five protected and is the least favorable of the Timberwolves’, Jazz’s, and Cavaliers’ picks.
By trading for Williams and selecting Malauch, the Suns have revamped their frontcourt depth in one fell swoop, and now hav multiple young big men to grow with guards Devin Booker and Green.
Maluach will likely come off the bench to start, but represents a major swing for a team that is looking to rebuild its identity on the fly. A college head coach who spoke to The Athletic earlier this month stated that Maluach has “the biggest upside of anybody” in this year’s draft class.
Was hoping he kept sliding, but no way Suns pass on him.
Between Jalen Green, Ryan Dunn and Khaman Maluach the suns actually have a decent little core there lol
Excellent draft pick by them but I bet they wanted CMB
He’s going to rockets.
He’s going to phx
No, he’s not. He was picked by the Rockets, for the Suns, because the Kevin Durant trade hasn’t been finalized yet, for legal/financial reasons. He’s going to Phoenix.
Guess Michigan State didn’t have a program this year
Unless the Suns move Richards, they will probably put Maluach in the G League so he gets some playing time. Bring Richards off the bench behind Williams.
Khaman Maluach is a great pick and will be a very nice backup Center from day one!
Guy has a Yinka Dare feel to him