Khaman Maluach Update: Will He Be The Best Center In The NBA?
It’s a bit early for that, but should he be good? He should be very good indeed.
One of the great mysteries of any NBA Draft, in the aftermath, is who went too high and who went too low. People always miss stuff. Some guys have way more ability than is generally recognized, while others just never live up to expectations.
One of the guys who could really become great in this year’s draft is Khaman Maluach.
Early results are mixed, but it’s not a particular concern. Summer league basketball is not about winning, it’s about analysis and reps.
The biggest thing about Maluach is where he is right now. He’s only played for a few years, is just 18, and has made enormous strides in a short time.
He’s absolutely still raw, so there are going to be times when he looks bad. For one thing, he really hasn’t figured out how to take the ball back up after getting a rebound.
He’ll figure it out. In the short term, Phoenix fans should focus on the basics: he’s 7-2, he’s mobile, he’s got good instincts and he learns fast.
In his case, you don’t look at July or November. You look at 2026 or 2027.
If he fails to develop at a rapid pace, it would be really surprising. We can’t see any particular reason why he shouldn’t become a very good NBA player.