Duke’s Khaman Maluach Drafted Tenth Overall and Traded to Phoenix Suns in Major NBA Draft Night Development
Khaman Maluach’s journey from a towering international prospect to a top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is a story of persistence, promise, and poise. On a night full of high-stakes drama and franchise-defining decisions, Maluach’s name was called tenth overall, confirming his status as one of the most intriguing big men in the draft class. Shortly after the pick, news broke that he would be on the move—traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a pre-arranged deal that brought both excitement and scrutiny to a Suns franchise in transition.
For Maluach, this is more than just the beginning of a professional career. It is the next step in a path that has taken him from the basketball courts of South Sudan to the storied halls of Duke University, and now, to the bright lights of the NBA. His selection at No. 10 was not just a reward for his talent and upside, but also a nod to the tremendous strides he’s made over the last few years as a player, student, and person.
At 7-foot-2 with a wingspan that seems to stretch to the rafters, Maluach represents the modern evolution of the center position. Unlike traditional big men, Maluach possesses the agility to defend on the perimeter, the timing to protect the rim, and the emerging skill set to contribute offensively from multiple areas on the court. Though raw in certain aspects of his game, particularly in post-up play and offensive decision-making, his defensive instincts and physical tools give him one of the highest ceilings in the class.
His time at Duke, though short, was pivotal. Playing under head coach Jon Scheyer, Maluach displayed steady improvement throughout the season. While his averages weren’t eye-popping—around 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game—scouts were more focused on the flashes. His ability to switch on pick-and-rolls, chase down guards, and alter shots in the paint made him a constant presence defensively. On offense, he showed touch around the rim, a developing mid-range jumper, and solid free throw mechanics for a player his size.
More importantly, Maluach’s approach to the game impressed teams. Coaches and executives praised his work ethic, humility, and eagerness to learn. “He’s coachable. He listens. He wants to be great,” one Western Conference scout noted during the pre-draft process. Combine that mentality with his physical gifts, and you get a prospect who could be a centerpiece in the right developmental environment.
That’s where Phoenix comes in. The Suns, led by new head coach Mike Budenholzer, are at a critical juncture. After falling short in consecutive playoff runs despite a star-studded trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the organization is now looking to balance their aging core with young, moldable talent that fits modern NBA schemes. Maluach fits that mold perfectly.
Though the Suns did not originally hold the No. 10 pick—they acquired it from a trade with the Atlanta Hawks—the front office had long admired Maluach and engineered the trade with him as the target. In a league that increasingly values rim protection, switchability, and vertical spacing, Maluach brings all three to the table. His selection also signals Phoenix’s commitment to diversifying its roster and investing in long-term development, especially on the defensive end where the team has been inconsistent.
There’s also a deeper layer to Maluach’s story—one that transcends basketball. Born in South Sudan and raised amidst challenges most prospects never encounter, Maluach’s rise has been meteoric and deeply inspiring. He emerged through the ranks of NBA Africa’s Basketball Without Borders program, where his natural abilities caught the attention of global scouts and coaches. By the time he committed to Duke, he had already represented South Sudan’s national team in FIBA competition, gaining valuable experience against seasoned professionals.
His background gives him a unique perspective—and a strong sense of purpose. “I play for more than myself,” he said during the pre-draft interviews. “I carry my country, my family, and everyone who believed in me. This is just the beginning.” Those words echoed through the draft room and now carry weight in Phoenix, where the Suns hope he can become a new pillar of their future.
Expectations will be high, but Phoenix is taking a measured approach. The team doesn’t need Maluach to be an immediate offensive focal point. Instead, they’ll likely use his rookie season to focus on conditioning, strength training, and adapting to NBA speed. With veterans like Jusuf Nurkić and even Durant able to offer mentorship, Maluach has the right environment to grow. If he can refine his timing, stay healthy, and gain confidence in his shooting and passing, the Suns might have a future defensive anchor on their hands.
From a strategic standpoint, the trade also signals Phoenix’s pivot toward smarter roster construction. With limited flexibility under the new collective bargaining agreement and the burden of multiple max contracts, hitting on rookie-scale players like Maluach is essential. If he develops into even a league-average starting center by Year 2 or 3, the pick becomes a major win.
Of course, there are risks. Like many international prospects who grew rapidly and entered the sport relatively late, Maluach still struggles with fouls, spacing awareness, and consistency. He can be baited into leaving his feet on pump fakes and is prone to overhelping. These are coachable issues, but they require time and patience—something not every contending team has in abundance. It will be up to Budenholzer and the Suns’ development staff to chart a deliberate course for his growth.
His selection at No. 10 also stirred debate among analysts. Some felt it was a reach given his raw offensive skill set. Others believe Phoenix should have prioritized more NBA-ready contributors. But even skeptics admit that Maluach’s ceiling is one of the highest in the class. If he reaches it, the Suns could look back on this night as the moment their franchise trajectory quietly began to shift.
For Duke, Maluach’s selection continues a proud tradition of NBA success. He becomes the latest Blue Devil to make the leap to the pros, and his international background further underscores Duke’s growing global recruiting reach. While he wasn’t the leading scorer or most hyped player on the roster, his presence was undeniable. Teammates lauded his positivity and defensive leadership, and coaches often pointed to him as the team’s emotional anchor.
Now, in Phoenix, he has the opportunity to anchor something even bigger. Whether it’s protecting the rim behind a defensive-minded second unit or developing into a two-way menace who can influence playoff games, Maluach has a rare blend of traits that front offices dream about. And while it may take a few seasons for everything to click, the Suns are clearly betting on his potential.
Draft night is often defined by chaos, but every so often, a pick and trade combo like this one tells a clearer story—of upside, belief, and building for the future. Khaman Maluach isn’t just a developmental project or a gamble on height. He’s a symbol of where the game is going: longer, faster, more global, and increasingly driven by defense and versatility.
In a league constantly in search of the next dominant big man, Maluach has both the opportunity and the platform to make his mark. His new home in Phoenix, with its passionate fanbase and strong basketball culture, offers a fitting stage for the next act of his remarkable journey.
