Suns draft Khaman Maluach with the 10th pick

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I don’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, particularly because Khaman was the guy I was hoping we would take, but y’all got to remember he’s an 18 year old kid who grew up in Africa. I highly doubt he averages 10/10 this season. If he does, I’ll be shocked and it likely portends for really great things in his future. I’d say a rookie year of 8/6 with 2 blocks a game is a terrific, and realistic, start to his career.

 

[BirdGangThing]

I don’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, particularly because Khaman was the guy I was hoping we would take, but y’all got to remember he’s an 18 year old kid who grew up in Africa. I highly doubt he averages 10/10 this season. If he does, I’ll be shocked and it likely portends for really great things in his future. I’d say a rookie year of 8/6 with 2 blocks a game is a terrific, and realistic, start to his career.

same but im not putting any expectations far as numbers go - specially on offense - the desire and passion and fun is what i hope continues to develop - i like that he's 7'2" but looks up to book and dunn - idk - ayton broke my heart having no heart but i don't think we'll have to worry about that with maluach

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

same but im not putting any expectations far as numbers go - specially on offense - the desire and passion and fun is what i hope continues to develop - i like that he's 7'2" but looks up to book and dunn - idk - ayton broke my heart having no heart but i don't think we'll have to worry about that with maluach

Agree 100%. Unlike when we drafted Ayton and seemingly every word outta his mouth was a red flag, I love this kids attitude and comments.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, particularly because Khaman was the guy I was hoping we would take, but y’all got to remember he’s an 18 year old kid who grew up in Africa. I highly doubt he averages 10/10 this season. If he does, I’ll be shocked and it likely portends for really great things in his future. I’d say a rookie year of 8/6 with 2 blocks a game is a terrific, and realistic, start to his career.

Oh yeah I'd be stunned if he averaged 10/10 his rookie season. I have no immediate expectations of him, I know he's raw and less experienced than most when they enter this league. But I have high expectations of the center position, or at least high hopes and I have very high hopes for Maluach's future with us.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, particularly because Khaman was the guy I was hoping we would take, but y’all got to remember he’s an 18 year old kid who grew up in Africa. I highly doubt he averages 10/10 this season. If he does, I’ll be shocked and it likely portends for really great things in his future. I’d say a rookie year of 8/6 with 2 blocks a game is a terrific, and realistic, start to his career.

I'm not going to get into stats, but if Khaman is an effective defensive deterrent in the middle, grabs some rebounds, gets some put back shots and is a lob threat, that will be a huge contribution in his first season.

Also, He has big hands so it may help him hang onto the ball. I suspect Ayton's hands were smaller.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, particularly because Khaman was the guy I was hoping we would take, but y’all got to remember he’s an 18 year old kid who grew up in Africa. I highly doubt he averages 10/10 this season. If he does, I’ll be shocked and it likely portends for really great things in his future. I’d say a rookie year of 8/6 with 2 blocks a game is a terrific, and realistic, start to his career.

I am not trying to have huge expectations, I am just very encouraged by the things I do see. Confidence, leadership on the court at 18 which is just unheard of, size, length, agility, shooting.

Actually, the thing that encourages me the most is the kids personality, confidence, and intelligence.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I just want him to be able to play a steady 20-25 minutes every night. That means staying healthy (I'm always slightly worried about big men), staying fit and staying out of foul trouble.

 

[BirdGangThing]

far as expectations go - i like the 75% free throws and the rim protection but im guessing a lot of the free throws come on offensive put backs because A) who's getting in this kid's way and B) fouling a 75% free throw shooter isn't cost effective for a defense - another area where he shouldn't be a liability

 

[SunsTzu]

same but im not putting any expectations far as numbers go - specially on offense - the desire and passion and fun is what i hope continues to develop - i like that he's 7'2" but looks up to book and dunn - idk - ayton broke my heart having no heart but i don't think we'll have to worry about that with maluach

I'll be interested in tracking his net rating. His raw stats weren't great even in college, but his net rating was astronomical. Rookies usually struggle to have a positive net rating, so it will be interesting to see what type of impact he has out the gate.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'll be interested in tracking his net rating. His raw stats weren't great even in college, but his net rating was astronomical. Rookies usually struggle to have a positive net rating, so it will be interesting to see what type of impact he has out the gate.

Khaman Maluach 2025 Draft Profile | Tankathon

Khaman Maluach - C - Duke - 2025 NBA Draft Profile and Stats

www.tankathon.com

I know it sounds simplistic, but the green bubbles on the tankathon site have been more effective than anything else I have seen for predicting pro effectiveness. For him to excel in this many categories as an 18 year old freshman is amazing. I also look at the categories most important for the position he plays.

One stat that really jumps off the page is the Ortg vs the Drtg. And the word in interviews with coaches etc, is that he has really developed his 3 point shot. All he needs is a little maturity and adding some muscle.

This kid has everything you would look for. I know I would not bet against him.

 

[SunsTzu]

One stat that really jumps off the page is the Ortg vs the Drtg.

That is the net rating, and yes it was absurdly high. It is impacted by your team, but even then his was the best on a stacked team.

I actually started to look up the best net ratings of all time for the NCAA but couldn't find it easily enough so I gave up, but I suspect his is amongst the highest of all time for anyone getting 20+ minutes a game.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm not going to get into stats, but if Khaman is an effective defensive deterrent in the middle, grabs some rebounds, gets some put back shots and is a lob threat, that will be a huge contribution in his first season.

Also, He has big hands so it may help him hang onto the ball. I suspect Ayton's hands were smaller.

Those were Ayton’s nuts, not his hands, that were small.

 

[Superbone]

Those were Ayton’s nuts, not his hands, that were small.

LOL. Ayton's mouth was big, that's for sure.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He is 18 but he carries himself like an adult. He sees the world from a mature perspective.

 

[Mainstreet]

He is 18 but he carries himself like an adult. He sees the world from a mature perspective.

This should greatly improve his adaption to the NBA game.

 

[Goldfield]

He definitely looks raw but you can see the potential. He has a lot of stuff you can’t teach with his size and movement skills. Love how aggressive he is. We need to be a little patient with him.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

He hoisted 6 three point attempts in his first summer league game so he’s not bashful. Not excited about only hitting 1/6 though. His handles looked rough backing players down into the post. You can see his athleticism but it also at times seems like he’s a young deer, gangly and awkward. He’s still growing into knowing how to operate that body.

 

[Yuma]

I don’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, particularly because Khaman was the guy I was hoping we would take, but y’all got to remember he’s an 18 year old kid who grew up in Africa. I highly doubt he averages 10/10 this season. If he does, I’ll be shocked and it likely portends for really great things in his future. I’d say a rookie year of 8/6 with 2 blocks a game is a terrific, and realistic, start to his career.

I really think if you do have a motor like he does, 10 and 10 is achievable for any center in the NBA just because of the situations that happen in games. If you run the floor as a center you will get some easy scores, and be in position for offensive boards on quick shots. Being tall, if you stay anywhere near the paint, you will get 10 boards. I like he does run the court well. I think the Summer League game one he was pushing hard to do well. When he relaxed at the end, he blocked a shot and then later swished a three. He ended the night on a high note.

 

[Yuma]

I don't know if you guys caught the guys covering the Summer League game casually put out the following comment about Maluach: "Insiders around the league think this kid is further along in his development at this point in his career than Joel Embid." I know that's a HIGH bar, but if he's HALF as good as Embid I will be happy.

 

[Proximo]

I don't know if you guys caught the guys covering the Summer League game casually put out the following comment about Maluach: "Insiders around the league think this kid is further along in his development at this point in his career than Joel Embid." I know that's a HIGH bar, but if he's HALF as good as Embid I will be happy.

I won’t be he’s our only lottery pick till 2032, he needs to be better than 1/2 Embid.

 

[BirdGangThing]

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[Ronin]

Suns' Khaman Maluach showcases versatility in debut: 'The sky is the limit'

Suns rookie Khaman Maluach earned praise from assistant coach DeMarre Carroll after debuting with the team in summer league on Friday.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Cheesebeef]

Maluach looks like a big boy out there. I like his physicality.

 

[SirStefan32]

He looked pretty much how I expected him to look in his first game. Very talented, but also very raw. He's going to develop into a good player, but we shouldn't expect much this season.

 

[Raindog]

I'm not going to get into stats, but if Khaman is an effective defensive deterrent in the middle, grabs some rebounds, gets some put back shots and is a lob threat, that will be a huge contribution in his first season.

Also, He has big hands so it may help him hang onto the ball. I suspect Ayton's hands were smaller.

Ayton might literally have the worst hands in the NBA. Doncic and Lebron in for an unpleasant surprise with those no look passes.