Khaman Maluach is scoring efficiently and rebounding well in a small role, and his best game came in a loss at Oklahoma City. What Phoenix needs from him now is defense and the ball security to stay on the floor late in games.
The job right now. Mark Williams is out with a target date of Feb. 3, 2027, and Oso Ighodaro is day-to-day. That leaves the middle to Maluach, a 20-year-old with one season of experience. He started in Oklahoma City and played 26 minutes. He is the only true center Jordan Ott can count on night to night.
Efficient, barely used. Through three games he averages 7.7 points in 23.4 minutes on 53.3 percent shooting, with a 62.1 true shooting mark. His usage is 15.3 percent, so the offense rarely runs through him. He has tried one three a game and made a third of them, and he shoots 75 percent at the line.
Glass and rim. He averages 7.3 boards and grabs 15.3 percent of available rebounds, which is real work for a starter in his first full turn. He adds 1.3 blocks and 0.7 steals a night. Those numbers make him the Suns' only reliable rim protector until the injured bigs return.
Too many giveaways. He averages 2.3 turnovers against 1.7 assists, and his assist rate sits at 9.4 percent. At Oklahoma City he gave it away four times in 26 minutes. A center with this little usage cannot cough it up this often, or opponents will keep running on Phoenix.
Taught by Hartenstein. Maluach went 5 of 10 for 12 points and seven rebounds, and he finished minus-2, the best mark among Phoenix starters. Isaiah Hartenstein answered with 15 points and 13 boards on 6-of-7 shooting, and Aday Mara added 11 and 10 off the bench. Valley of the Suns' Luke Duffy called it a masterclass for Maluach.
The defense around him. Phoenix allows 124.8 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, close to the team's 124.5. His net rating is minus-13.0. He was not part of the closing five in Oklahoma City, and Duffy also wrote that Ott chose the worst time to try Miles Bridges at center.
The price tag. He makes $6.3M this season, $6.6M next season and $8.4M in 2028-29, on a $213.8M payroll led by Devin Booker's $57.1M. On a roster with little room to add salary, he is the cheapest piece that could matter. The verdict: he has to become the defensive anchor who is on the floor at the finish.
Is Khaman Maluach the Suns' starting center?
Yes, he started at Oklahoma City on Oct. 26 and played 26 minutes. With Mark Williams out until a projected Feb. 3 return, he is the main option in the middle.
How much is Khaman Maluach paid?
He earns $6.3M in 2026-27, $6.6M in 2027-28 and $8.4M in 2028-29.
