The Phoenix Suns are on to a new era after two failed seasons building around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. This offseason, Phoenix parted ways with Durant and Beal, leaving Booker as the face of the franchise.
The Suns, it would seem, are finally ready to build organically under Mat Ishbia and will take their time to return to contention.
In exchange for Durant, the Suns received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the tenth overall pick from the Houston Rockets. The Suns selected Duke standout Khaman Maluach with the hopes that he will develop into a franchise center.
Khaman Maluach Has Emerged as Suns’ Leader
The Duke Blue Devils have long been an NBA factory. Before Maluach was selected tenth overall, teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel came off the board. Maluach is relatively new to basketball, although he averaged 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds while being one of the best athletes in the NCAA last season.
As he gets comfortable in the NBA, he has found a new strength, as well.
“He talks nonstop on the court,” revealed Grayson Allen during a September 27th practice. “He’s commanding the defense, calling out coverages, constantly talking. For a rookie, let alone a 19-year-old guy, to come into the gym and do that first day of training camp is impressive. He’s already ready, in that aspect.”
Allen attended Duke from 2014 to 2018 and understands the expectations with the Blue Devils when they enter the league. For Maluach, who started playing only in 2019, his leadership is especially impressive, and that’s not even counting that English is not his native language.
Phoenix Suns Are Leaning Into Leadership
Last year’s campaign was marred by dysfunction both on and off the court. The Suns, with a trio of stars, did not have a clear-cut leader, and even when players tried to step into that role, they were dismissed by coaches.
Last season, Booker was asked to “tone it down” by head coach Mike Budenholzer. The veteran head coach’s inability to allow his players to hold one another accountable played a big part in his dismissal earlier this summer.
“Mike Budenholzer called his star guard, Devin Booker, into his office to issue a complaint. And that complaint, I’m told, was that Booker was being too vocal on the court and during timeout huddles,” reported insider Chris Haynes last season. “This completely shocked Booker.”
While the Suns will likely miss the playoffs for the second season in a row, they can enjoy a much-needed culture shift in the locker room and on the sidelines. With their prized rookie already prepared to step into a leadership role, the long-term outlook in Phoenix is not as bleak as it was just months ago.