Around the Beat: Booker's Mood, the Center Case, Bridges…

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 3

Phoenix outlets spent this week on three threads: Devin Booker's mood, Khaman Maluach's path to starting center, and Miles Bridges' fit alongside him. Every thread checks out against actual moves — two option exercises, one cleared injury, and a 45-37 finish that still explains the scrutiny.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Booker's reset. Team channels and Bright Side of the Sun's Brandon Duenas pushed the same message this week: Devin Booker, 29 and entering year eleven, looks recharged in camp. That tracks — his extension through 2029-30 makes him the league's highest-paid player, and he averaged 26.1 points last season for a team that missed the playoffs anyway.

Options exercised. Phoenix made it official: the team picked up third-year and fourth-year team options on Ryan Dunn and Khaman Maluach, confirmed by the club and reported by RealGM, Hoops Rumors and Arizona Sports' Douglas Santo. Both options run through 2027-28, tying the young frontcourt pair to Phoenix two more seasons apiece.

The starter question. With Mark Williams still sidelined, Bright Side of the Sun's Brandon Duenas argues Maluach could be Phoenix's starting center, not a stopgap. Duop Reath, cleared October 3 after a brief ailment, and Oso Ighodaro remain the other names in that conversation at the five.

Bridges, still a question. Arizona Sports' David Veenstra reported that owner Mat Ishbia called Miles Bridges a top offseason target as the front office defended the trade. Bright Side's John Voita floated a different comparison, wondering if Bridges profiles closer to Aaron Gordon than advertised — a fair debate after his 17.1 points and 5.8 rebounds last season.

Chandler's early test. Valley of the Suns' Luke Duffy wrote that Kennedy Chandler's chance in Phoenix faces an early obstacle, without detailing what it is. He's one of two late-camp additions, with Phillip Wheeler, who actually stuck on the 21-man group — and 15.0 points with 6.7 assists in just 11 games last season show why Phoenix wanted him.

The real pressure point. The Athletic's preseason primer asked every team one burning question; for Phoenix it is still the gap between spending and results. Phoenix carries $216.2M on the books and finished 45-37, missing the playoffs outright — this week's option exercises and camp churn don't change that math.

On deck Phoenix opens the preseason October 5 at the Pistons, then plays at the Bulls on October 7 before hosting San Antonio on ESPN2 October 10 and closing the slate October 14 at the Spurs, ahead of the October 21 regular-season opener at Portland.

Is Khaman Maluach going to start at center for the Suns?

No decision has been reported, but Bright Side of the Sun has made the case for it with Mark Williams out and an estimated February 3 return.

What is Duop Reath's current injury status?

He was briefly listed with a lower-body issue right after joining the team but was cleared on October 3.