Suns draft Khaman Maluach with the 10th pick

[Mainstreet]

That's the role of any fourth center though. It has to be a guy backing up from PF, or a guy so cheap they would be a Huntley or Fleming equivalent. You aren't going to see any teams with four good centers. Ten day contracts, G League, semi retired guys. If you really get desperate, you can always pick someone up.

I think the best way to look at it, what happens if the Suns lose a center?

This happened last season and it didn't go so well. The Suns are bringing back the same cast hoping for better results.

If the Suns had a power forward that could rotate at center, I would feel much better. Picking up a capable center is easier said than done.

 

[Goldfield]

I think the best way to look at it, what happens if the Suns lose a center?

This happened last season and it didn't go so well. The Suns are bringing back the same cast hoping for better results.

If the Suns had a power forward that could rotate at center, I would feel much better. Picking up a capable center is easier said than done.

It isn’t the same to me if maluach is ready for a bigger role this year.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Khaman shot 50-40-90 in summer league. That’s the holy grail of shooting efficiency. I get that the 50 is not eye opening for a center, but the other two numbers are stellar.

 

[Raindog]

So. Cap issues aside. Would any of you trade Maluach for Durant right now, straight up, no picks?

I don't think I would. It's not that I think Maluach is better. I just want nothing to do with Durant, and Maluach has an entire career ahead of him.

Just on paper, a lot of people (not necessarily here) would say "yes, obviously." Just in a vacuum, they would. But with the age issue and the obvious chemistry issues that are now piling up behind Durant, I think there should be some hesitation... and that's regardless of whether you are really convinced that Maluach is going to turn into a premium type of player.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Just on paper, a lot of people (not necessarily here) would say "yes, obviously." Just in a vacuum, they would. But with the age issue and the obvious chemistry issues that are now piling up behind Durant, I think there should be some hesitation... and that's regardless of whether you are really convinced that Maluach is going to turn into a premium type of player.

The thing about Durant is that with his age and skill set, he is the type of player you want when you want to take that final step toward contention. The problem is that he was in that situation in New Jersey, Phoenix, and now Houston and he didn’t help any of those teams improve. So, what’s he good for? To be an unstoppable offensive weapon on a mediocre team.

 

[Raindog]

The thing about Durant is that with his age and skill set, he is the type of player you want when you want to take that final step toward contention. The problem is that he was in that situation in New Jersey, Phoenix, and now Houston and he didn’t help any of those teams improve. So, what’s he good for? To be an unstoppable offensive weapon on a mediocre team.

His value should be declining, for sure. With the underwhelming haul Boston got for Brown, you have to wonder what Durant would currently command on the trade market. I'd bet it's quite a bit less than we got from Houston.

 

[Phrazbit]

His value should be declining, for sure. With the underwhelming haul Boston got for Brown, you have to wonder what Durant would currently command on the trade market. I'd bet it's quite a bit less than we got from Houston.

I expect that we will be the last, first and only team, to gut their franchise for a 35 year old cancer.

 

[Mainstreet]

It isn’t the same to me if maluach is ready for a bigger role this year.

I'd be delighted if Maluach is ready to take on a bigger role. My philosophy though, is to be better prepared than last season.

And I think the Suns are except if the injury bug hits at center.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Khaman shot 50-40-90 in summer league. That’s the holy grail of shooting efficiency. I get that the 50 is not eye opening for a center, but the other two numbers are stellar.

Actually ended up at 68% from the foul line, but otherwise he was impressive in SL.

 

[Yuma]

I think the best way to look at it, what happens if the Suns lose a center?

This happened last season and it didn't go so well. The Suns are bringing back the same cast hoping for better results.

If the Suns had a power forward that could rotate at center, I would feel much better. Picking up a capable center is easier said than done.

I know he's just a rookie, but my bet would be Peat at Center. To get a fourth center you have to give up a spot. Fleming has played some small ball center last season in spots, too. We have 6 bigs who can play center. Who are you getting rid of, to get that 4th center who may never play? Plus Man Man is at a different level than last season in readiness. It wouldn't be just Oso as the main guy now. I think you worry too much about a 4th center. We were hurting way more at PF last season than center. We finally have bolstered that spot. Would it be great to have All Stars three deep at each spot? Yes! There's no way we can do it. They would make a third and fourth apron for us! LOL! We are as good as we can get going into the season at Center. There's options later on if desperation kicks in. We can't argue how deep this Suns team is, then worry about enough guys at a position. LOL. I'm trying to talk you down off the Center ledge.

 

[Yuma]

Actually ended up at 68% from the foul line, but otherwise he was impressive in SL.

I heard from Kellen Olsen on the radio, that Man Man was so angry he missed that many FTs in the final game, the next morning he got up 300 free throws. Supposedly, this was a decision on his own. No coaches told him to do it.

 

[Mainstreet]

I know he's just a rookie, but my bet would be Peat at Center. To get a fourth center you have to give up a spot. Fleming has played some small ball center last season in spots, too. We have 6 bigs who can play center. Who are you getting rid of, to get that 4th center who may never play? Plus Man Man is at a different level than last season in readiness. It wouldn't be just Oso as the main guy now. I think you worry too much about a 4th center. We were hurting way more at PF last season than center. We finally have bolstered that spot. Would it be great to have All Stars three deep at each spot? Yes! There's no way we can do it. They would make a third and fourth apron for us! LOL! We are as good as we can get going into the season at Center. There's options later on if desperation kicks in. We can't argue how deep this Suns team is, then worry about enough guys at a position. LOL. I'm trying to talk you down off the Center ledge.

I can't break this feeling of deju vu and history repeating itself.

 

[Yuma]

I can't break this feeling of deju vu and history repeating itself.

What I have learned form watching the Suns is there's always new problems. The Suns play reaction to them all the time. One season your Centers implode, so you go out and sign a couple guys, and that season it's shooting guards going down or into slumps. It's always something. Each season has it's own horrors. LOL. Center could end up being a strength for us and something else goes wrong. Like last season, Green had been a healthy player his whole career, he gets to Phoenix and his hamstings go out. Never any indication we would have to worry about his health before the trade. You just never know with the Suns. LOL.

 

[Proximo]

I heard from Kellen Olsen on the radio, that Man Man was so angry he missed that many FTs in the final game, the next morning he got up 300 free throws. Supposedly, this was a decision on his own. No coaches told him to do it.

That is awesome to hear. He needs playing time immediately. He really could be our X factor this year.

 

[Mainstreet]

That is awesome to hear. He needs playing time immediately. He really could be our X factor this year.

Can't teach work ethic and basketball IQ. Man Man has both.

 

[Yuma]

Can't teach work ethic and basketball IQ. Man Man has both.

This was the kind of stuff we heard about Booker when he was starting out. Some guys have that drive. They tend to be the better players.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

can't get khaman off my mind - just fascinating - the confidence and demeanor more than anything else - i think that's what leads to everything else

khaman was born in south sudan but was too young to remember when his family fled (civil war) - he ended up uganda and grew up in one of the world's toughest places to grow up

remember the video of khaman working with luol deng last week? we've all heard the story about a random coach spotting maluach and encouraging him to attend a local basketball camp

i didn't know luol deng was the host of that first camp - that's crazy right? i'm sure khaman would've eventually found his way on the court but khaman - that's crazy right?

also heard maluach had to play in crocs at first because he had no sneakers - now he's on the suns with devin booker - i bet nike is paying attention - that would make one hell of a commercial

i keep trying to figure out why he's so confident and sweet with the 3 - every player in the league can practice til the lights turn off but 40%? khaman man - that's confidence - that's pure focus - that's his demeanor

19 years old out there yelling - telling nba vets where to be lol and none of them tell him to stop - that's so funny to me

word is he also never stops singing - only happy souls do this - i think happy souls are more free to focus - that might sound like some hippie ish but it's really not

speaking of - i think book should be extremely happy - he tried so hard with ayton - he found the same success with williams but williams couldn't hold up - but if book establishes a connection with maluach all bets are off

 

[GatorAZ]

He’s still younger than half the lottery picks from this year including Caleb Wilson. He’ll get valuable minutes this year and likely starting by year 3. Williams and Oso are still more impactful but I’m still good being patient with him.

 

[Yuma]

He’s still younger than half the lottery picks from this year including Caleb Wilson. He’ll get valuable minutes this year and likely starting by year 3. Williams and Oso are still more impactful but I’m still good being patient with him.

And Koa Pete, too!

 

[leclerc]

Would be awesome to see some chemistry develop between Booker and Maluach.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

i remember when ott called oso's number instead of richards' - richards sat the whole game - people wondered if richards was injured but then it happened again - and again

that's the nature of the beast tho right? it's a what have you done lately league - a make the most of each night because the objects in your rear view mirror are closer than they appear

in this scenario khaman is that object - oso can do a lot but he can't maluach - it's just a matter of time honestly and then it's mark williams that better watch his six

word is williams will play the first night of back to backs then it's maluach - people are going to easily compare their games and stats - i'm hoping this inspires williams to play out of his mind because manman is coming

both are safe for now but seriously