Former Duke center Khaman Maluach didn’t play much for the Suns as a rookie after being drafted 10th overall in last year, averaging 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game across 46 appearances. He got more playing time at the G League level, averaging 16.5 PPG, 12.7 RPG and 2.5 BPG in 11 contests (30.3 MPG).
Still just 19 years old, the 7’1″ big man from South Sudan starred for Phoenix’s Summer League team in Las Vegas, putting up 19.5 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 1.3 SPG in four games (27.4 MPG). He also showed improvement with his outside shot, converting 8-of-20 from three-point range (40.0%).
Speaking to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Maluach said he’s been working on improving his hands, rebounding and decision-making in the pocket this summer. He knows he’ll have to provide a strong interior presence to earn playing time in year two.
“Rebounding. Playing defense. That’s what our team needs,” Maluach said. “I got to show what our team needs and show I can do it now and keep on getting better. I can’t repeat the same mistakes I did a year ago. I just got to keep on getting better. It’s OK for rookies to make mistakes, but the problem is if you keep on making the same mistakes all the time. I just got to find a way to keep on getting better and learning from my mistakes.”
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While he recognizes that his outside shot could be key to unlocking his full potential, Maluach told Rankin it’s not his main priority right now, calling it the “icing on the cake.” Instead he’s focused on being able to “dominate on the inside.” “It’s really just strength. Speed. Really just working on my body,” Maluach said of improving his rebounding and defense. “Being able to stay healthy and being able to play the whole season and go through that. It’s just really my strength, my base, my hands. Those are the things I’ve been working on this summer. Hand-eye coordination, the feet and everything else.”
Phoenix acquired the draft rights to Koa Peat, the 30th overall pick in last month’s draft, in a four-team trade with New York. The former Arizona star averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.5 SPG in four games in Las Vegas (27.2 MPG). The 19-year-old forward told Andre Iguodala in an NBA on Prime interview that he plans to keep working in preparation for his rookie season (Twitter video link via Rankin). “Taking it one day at a time,” Peat said. “Getting better every day. Not taking any of these days for granted. Staying in the gym. After this, I’m going to go back to Phoenix. Get to work. Stay in the gym. Try to become the best version of myself.”
Peat is also looking forward to playing with star guard Devin Booker, Rankin adds in a full story. “Just playing off him,” Peat said Saturday. “Trying to make him better as a player. Doing the little things. Creating for him and just learning from him. He’s one of the best players in the league. He’s a legend. I think that’s going to help my game for sure.”