At 18 years old, Khaman Maluach is already making waves in Phoenix. The rookie center hasn’t even played his first Summer League game yet, but he’s got teammates talking. Ryan Dunn can’t stop raving about what he’s seeing in practice, and that’s got Suns fans wondering: could this be the steal of the draft?
What Makes Khaman Maluach So Special, According to Ryan Dunn?
Phoenix acquired the Duke standout through the No. 10 pick from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade. That selection quickly became one of the hottest topics in the Suns’ offseason plans. Some experts believed Phoenix could select a young player capable of carrying the torch left by Durant’s departure. However, Maluach is a center, and the NBA has yet to witness his full scoring potential.
The organization recently revealed Maluach’s jersey number. He wore No. 9 at Duke, but that number is retired in Phoenix for Suns legend Dan Majerle. Instead, Maluach chose No. 10 to match his draft position.
As excitement builds around the rookie, Maluach has already started earning praise from within the Suns organization. During recent Summer League preparation, forward Ryan Dunn spoke highly of the rookie’s energy and potential. “They’ve been great. They’re youthful. Come on, man. He’s special at 18. Super special,” Dunn said.
“I mean, him flying around, talking, being allowed to fall on the floor, being able to guard and switch and being so active. It’s great on the defensive end. And him shooting the three, how he’s been shooting, it’s been great. Picking pop and corner threes. He’s so confident. It was good. And he’s just being aggressive. So I can only tell him to keep doing what he’s doing,” he added.
Ryan Dunn spoke GLOWINGLY about the rookie’s, especially regarding early assessments of Khaman Maluach 👀 pic.twitter.com/D32dEf3bLI
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) July 9, 2025
How Did Maluach Perform at Duke Before the Draft?
At Duke, Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. On paper, those were solid numbers, but his shooting accuracy stood out for a center. During the 2024-25 season, the 18-year-old shot 71.2% from the field and 76.6% from the free-throw line.
His rim protection and mobility earned praise from scouts, with PFSN calling him a “high-motor defender who can switch onto guards and protect the rim at a high level.”
The financial commitment shows Phoenix’s belief in the young center. The Suns offered the 7-foot-2 center a four-year rookie-scale contract worth $27.39 million, with $12.33 million guaranteed. He will earn $6.02 million in his rookie season and holds team options in years three and four.
Maluach’s Summer League debut is scheduled for July 11 against the Washington Wizards in Las Vegas. Dunn and the entire Suns community are optimistic about what the 18-year-old center will bring to the court. This game will give fans their first look at how Maluach fits into Phoenix’s evolving system.
