The Phoenix Suns are making it clear they intend to get tougher in the paint next season. On a busy draft night, the Suns continued their offseason overhaul, trading for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams and landing highly touted rookie Khaman Maluach from the Houston Rockets.
Phoenix sent the No. 29 pick and a 2029 first-rounder to Charlotte in exchange for the 7-foot Williams, a former Duke standout. The 23-year-old big man brings rim protection and rebounding, though injuries have limited his NBA impact so far.
Meanwhile, the Suns secured 7-foot-2 Maluach as part of the deal that sent Kevin Durant to Houston earlier this week. The South Sudan native, who only began playing basketball in 2019, showed tremendous potential during his freshman year at Duke, averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks.
“Putting on that Suns jersey with my name on the back—it’s surreal,” an emotional Maluach said after being drafted.
The twin-tower duo of Williams and Maluach should help address the Suns’ defensive shortcomings, a priority for new head coach Jordan Ott. With a revamped roster and size down low, Phoenix appears determined to climb back into Western Conference contention.
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