Phoenix Suns centre Khaman Maluach turned a shared late-night gym habit into a chance to work with All-Star guard Devin Booker. Speaking at Phoenix media day on Sept. 28, Booker explained how the sessions began: "We would end up being in the gym at the same time, late night, and then one time, he just texted me and was like, can we get some work in together."
Maluach, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft who averaged three points across 46 games as a rookie, has welcomed the opportunity. "He has done this for a long time, and he has a lot of tools or a lot of stuff that I can learn from him as a centre," Maluach said. "As a young centre, just being able to go to him, and just ask him what I should do in this situation."
The extra time together takes on added importance with starting centre Mark Williams expected to miss several months because of a left shoulder injury. Booker and Maluach shared the floor for only 17 games and 194 minutes last season. Suns general manager Brian Gregory confirmed the pair logged multiple late-night sessions: "Devin Booker gets a hold of Khaman and they come back at night and work on stuff, just the two of them."
Booker is encouraged by what he has seen. "He's way ahead of the curve just to be going into his second year," Booker said. "I'd say he's taken the biggest leap out of anybody that I've seen this summer."
