LAS VEGAS — After the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and bought out Bradley Beal this summer, all the attention turned toward how the team planned to build around Devin Booker, whom Suns management has continued to express the team is building around despite numerous rumors and mock trades surrounding the NBA All-Star.
Along with acquiring Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, two of the most important pieces the team is planning to build around are Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach,
who are getting their second go-around in NBA Summer League after both played sparingly in their rookie years. Both were acquired in the deal that sent Durant to Houston.
After the team’s second game in three days and an 81-75 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, the two reflected on their second stints playing in Summer League in a joint postgame interview.
Maluach, who’s currently leading the Summer League in rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 50% from three on 5.5 attempts a game, has said he’s been given opportunities to learn how to be more adaptable. He’s trying to find ways to improve while playing and when no one’s watching.
“I go back and watch film and just observe the game and just really get better. Continuing while the game is going on, keep on adjusting, keep on getting better throughout the whole game,” Maluach said.
While he’s been strong on the boards and has averaged a combined three steals and blocks per game so far, the Duke product is focused on cutting down his turnovers after averaging 3.5 in his first few contests. He knows as a young center it’s something he needs to focus on.
“Being a young big, when the (regular) season gets here I know a lot of people are going to pressure up into me and try to make me turn over the ball, and I just gotta be able to take care of the ball so that my coach can trust me with the ball.”
Fleming, who has had a rough start to Summer League shooting just 36.8% from the field, is taking pride in doing the small things and being a leader as a veteran on the roster, along with Maluach.
“Just being able to make the next play for my teammates and knowing they’ll do the same when one of us (him or Maluach) gets in trouble, just being there for each other,” Fleming said.
When it comes to the defensive side of the ball, Fleming wants him and Maluach to take a unified approach to limiting other teams.
“I think we all just gotta go out there trying to make the right play. Whether it’s me, whether it’s him (Maluach), we both go out there just looking to make the right play.”
After the game, it is important to note that Fleming had his left hand wrapped up but said he was “fine” and that he was just feeling a bit “sore.”
As is typical for many players going into their second season in the NBA, playing in Summer League, Fleming and Maluach’s time in Summer League could possibly be over. However, Suns assistant coach Chaisson Allen, who is the head coach of the Summer League team, signaled there is a chance both could play tomorrow against Milwaukee because he said it’s important for young players to get reps.
Phoenix will play the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 p.m. tonight in what will be the team’s third Summer League game, which can be watched on Amazon Prime.
