Suns draft Khaman Maluach with the 10th pick

[Superbone]

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I believe the Suns are also trying to keep Richards value up. He's approximately 30 years old and is on an expiring deal around $5 million. Very easy to move that for a player on a rookie contract in their first 4 years or some 2nd round picks. They have Williams, Oso, and Maluach at C for now and the foreseeable future but Richards is trade bait. If we can somehow turn him into a couple of 2nd round picks or even a protected 1st then that should happen. He needs to be the primary backup to keep his minutes up. He hasn't been bad in that role this year either.

Richards turns 28 at the end of this month.

 

[Hoop Head]

Richards turns 28 at the end of this month.

He looks 48. Poor guy aged quick.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I'd be willing to bet they'd give up Richards for even a single 2nd if they can put protections so that it's a low second round (30-40 range). Phoenix is just over the luxury tax and I'm sure would love to reset the repeater counter.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd be willing to bet they'd give up Richards for even a single 2nd if they can put protections so that it's a low second round (30-40 range). Phoenix is just over the luxury tax and I'm sure would love to reset the repeater counter.

I had the Suns under both tax aprons, but this can be tricky stuff.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Richards might be the most easily tradeable piece on this team. I am sure he will be moved once they deem Maluach far enough along to start getting minutes. Meanwhile, Richards is contributing.

 

[GatorAZ]

I think the Suns are bringing Malauch along gradually.

He recently turned 19 so they need to develop his game. No need to throw him to the wolves.

Idc if he barely plays this year. Any upside this franchise has long term depends on him being a force 4-5 years down the road.

 

[Mainstreet]

Idc if he barely plays this year. Any upside this franchise has long term depends on him being a force 4-5 years down the road.

While we agree, a lot depends on injuries and trades. I'm hoping the Suns can bring him along slowly. It would be best for all concerned.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Idc if he barely plays this year. Any upside this franchise has long term depends on him being a force 4-5 years down the road.

I don't know about "any upside" depending solely on Malauch but yeah, we need to get lucky and find an impact player whether it's Manman or Brea or Fleming or whoever. And Malauch does look like our current best bet but this will be an annual quest until we pay off all our draft debts.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't know about "any upside" depending solely on Malauch but yeah, we need to get lucky and find an impact player whether it's Manman or Brea or Fleming or whoever. And Malauch does look like our current best bet but this will be an annual quest until we pay off all our draft debts.

The Suns need Maluach to turn into an impact center. Whether that carries him to a higher level, only time will tell.

He is not as explosive as I would like, but he has a lot of skills such as shooting, setting screens, rebounding, can block some shots and has a high basketball IQ. That's a lot to work with. Also, he has a strong work ethic.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns need Maluach to turn into an impact center. Whether that carries him to a higher level, only time will tell.

He is not as explosive as I would like, but he has a lot of skills such as shooting, setting screens, rebounding, can block some shots and has a high basketball IQ. That's a lot to work with. Also, he has a strong work ethic.

Yeah he looks so leadfooted at times. Hopefully some of that "slowness" is lack of experience and needing the game to slow down for him but time will tell. I really like what I know about him as a person and everything about him suggests we'll get his best eventually, just not sure how good that will be.

 

[GatorAZ]

The Suns need Maluach to turn into an impact center. Whether that carries him to a higher level, only time will tell.

He is not as explosive as I would like, but he has a lot of skills such as shooting, setting screens, rebounding, can block some shots and has a high basketball IQ. That's a lot to work with. Also, he has a strong work ethic.

His feet will get better with age. He’s still growing and awkward.

 

[Superbone]

As long as he becomes Joel Embiid without the injuries, we'll be fine.

 

[leclerc]

I'll have what you are drinking!

 

[Mainstreet]

His feet will get better with age. He’s still growing and awkward.

This is my hope as well.

Wolves FC Joan Beringer, age 18, is more explosive but less skilled.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I had the Suns under both tax aprons, but this can be tricky stuff.

Yeah, it's surprisingly difficult to find accurate information on this sometimes. I was going off this https://www.spotrac.com/nba/tax/_/year/2025/sort/cap_maximum_space

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, it's surprisingly difficult to find accurate information on this sometimes. I was going off this https://www.spotrac.com/nba/tax/_/year/2025/sort/cap_maximum_space

I'm doing my best to stay out of the capologist business. Just when I think I have it figured out, it changes.

Let those who get paid big dollars do it.

 

[Yuma]

The Suns need Maluach to turn into an impact center. Whether that carries him to a higher level, only time will tell.

He is not as explosive as I would like, but he has a lot of skills such as shooting, setting screens, rebounding, can block some shots and has a high basketball IQ. That's a lot to work with. Also, he has a strong work ethic.

That frame, I can see it filling out and being a load in the paint.

 

[Yuma]

I had the Suns under both tax aprons, but this can be tricky stuff.

It's what our status is at end of season. We are under the big one, but may be close or over the lower one. I think the Suns are thinking we are going to make some trades.

 

[Hoop Head]

It's what our status is at end of season. We are under the big one, but may be close or over the lower one. I think the Suns are thinking we are going to make some trades.

I believe we need to get under both to avoid repeater penalties that freeze our picks and also raise tax payments.

 

[Yuma]

I believe we need to get under both to avoid repeater penalties that freeze our picks and also raise tax payments.

Very true. I believe we are under the highest one, but may be over the lowest one. We will have to make a move of some sort by season's end. I think initially when we stretched and waived Beal we were under both, but then we added some folks.

 

[Raindog]

This is my hope as well.

Wolves FC Joan Beringer, age 18, is more explosive but less skilled.

My hope is a better offensive version of Gobert. Maybe he won't match Gobert's defensive dominance, but the offense pluses would offset that.

 

[Hoop Head]

My hope is a better offensive version of Gobert. Maybe he won't match Gobert's defensive dominance, but the offense pluses would offset that.

I want a prime Marcus Camby. I've said Tyson Chandler in the past but he never had a jumper while Camby could stretch out to 18' or so and hit middies. Of course I'd like Maluach to hit 3's but the offense is gravy. He should be a defensive force.

 

[Mainstreet]

My hope is a better offensive version of Gobert. Maybe he won't match Gobert's defensive dominance, but the offense pluses would offset that.

I'm looking for Maluach to be a more rounded player than Gobert as well.

There are probably better comparisons to be made, but I won't venture a guess at the moment.

 

[Mainstreet]

I want a prime Marcus Camby. I've said Tyson Chandler in the past but he never had a jumper while Camby could stretch out to 18' or so and hit middies. Of course I'd like Maluach to hit 3's but the offense is gravy. He should be a defensive force.

Man Man puts nice arc on his shots. He has the potential to turn into a solid shooter.

He will have to react quicker on defense and rebounding, but this may come with experience and age.