The regular season for the Phoenix Suns is right around the corner, with only a few days remaining before the 82-game marathon begins. And if you were to ask people around the league, particularly those outside the Valley of the Sun, how they believe Phoenix will perform this season, many would probably point to the 38.5-win total set by FanDuel as an appropriate expectation. Why? Because much of the conversation surrounding the Suns has centered on their depleted center position following Mark Williams’
injury last month. Granted, that line was established before Williams suffered the injury, but his absence has since become another justification for national pundits projecting a relatively modest season for Phoenix.
With Williams sidelined, we’ve been given an opportunity to watch two young players compete for the chance to earn the starting center position. And who does the Suns community believe should get the nod? According to our latest Bright Side Reacts survey, 67% believe Khaman Maluach, the second-year big man out of Duke, should be the starting center for Phoenix.
Personally, I think this is a tricky decision. Oso Ighodaro brings a level of stability to the starting lineup, and he’s somebody whose presence tends to elevate the players around him. For a group that’s going to need additional facilitation and connectivity offensively, I believe Ighodaro starting is probably the most likely outcome we’ll see from head coach Jordan Ott.
But Ott has demonstrated throughout the preseason that he’s willing to give Maluach an opportunity as well. In two games against the San Antonio Spurs, a team featuring Victor Wembanyama and all 7’6” of him, Maluach received the starting nod. And in the preseason finale? Man Man got the start again.
Does that mean he’s outplaying Ighodaro and earning the position? Or is Ott simply gathering as much information as possible before making his final decision? Because if Maluach does end up starting for the majority of the season, it represents an excellent opportunity for his development. He’s a lottery pick with the potential to take a meaningful leap in his second year, but that growth isn’t going to happen without consistent opportunities to play meaningful minutes.
I know I shouldn’t put too much stock in the preseason because, after all, it’s the preseason. But in my opinion, Maluach impressed. He adds a layer to the defensive side of the ball that we haven’t seen in Phoenix in quite some time. He’s a true big body in the middle who can deter shots and secure rebounds, providing a physical presence that this team has desperately needed. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. He’s 20 years old. Nobody’s expecting him to go out there and be prime Shaquille O’Neal. But he’s got the effort, the drive, and the attitude. He possesses the intangibles that can allow him to become successful as he continues developing his game.
We’ll monitor his “restocks” per 36 throughout the season, using rebounds, steals, and blocks per 36 minutes to track his defensive production. And how did he look during the preseason? Pretty damn good.
For a point of reference, Victor Wembanyama averaged 19.2 restocks per 36 minutes last season, and during this preseason, he posted 17.7. Across five preseason appearances, Maluach finished at 16.2.
It’s not a guarantee of anything moving forward, and there’s plenty of development still ahead of him. But it’s a darn good sign and a step in the right direction.
All of that being said, I believe the Suns will ultimately remain flexible based on the matchup. If size is going to be a significant challenge, Maluach probably gets the start. But if Phoenix is preparing to face a team like the Golden State Warriors (who they’ll host for their home opener next Saturday), I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ighodaro get the nod because of what he provides in terms of mobility, facilitation, and defensive versatility.
Ultimately, I think what the fan base wants, and something I wholeheartedly agree with, is for Maluach to develop into somebody who makes this decision a no-brainer. We want him to earn the starting position and excel in that role. Because if that happens, the Suns will have found tremendous value in what could very well be their last lottery selection for the next decade.
Time will tell. And with the regular season beginning Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, we won’t have to wait much longer to see how Jordan Ott approaches the decision.
