Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro are competing for the last starting position in the Phoenix Suns' line-up, with Mark Williams set to miss several months after a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Miles Bridges are expected to take the other four spots, leaving the centre role up for grabs.
Maluach said the duel with Ighodaro is pushing both players to improve. "Ça se passe très bien parce qu'on se pousse mutuellement à progresser," the South Sudanese centre said, adding that neither player is guaranteed a starting role. Head coach Jordan Ott has rotated his units since the start of camp and plans to delay his decision until just before the October 21 regular-season opener at Portland.
The two candidates offer contrasting profiles. Ighodaro, 24, brings experience after playing all 82 games last season, starting 26 regular-season games and every Phoenix playoff game. Maluach, the 10th pick in the 2025 Draft, offers more size and rim protection. He averaged 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2 blocks in Summer League in Las Vegas, posting four double-doubles in four games.
Maluach has also used the off-season to build chemistry with Booker, whom he described as "almost a coach himself." Ott plans to begin the season with a nine- or ten-player rotation, stressing that Phoenix's depth is the team's strength.
