The Phoenix Suns kept busy on draft night, making key moves to strengthen their roster after trading Kevin Durant over the weekend. The team acquired 7-foot center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for the No. 29 pick and a future first-round pick in 2029. The 2029 pick is protected and will come from Cleveland, Utah, or Minnesota, depending on which is least favorable.
Alongside this deal, the Suns added another promising big man. The Houston Rockets picked 7-foot-2 center Khaman Maluach from Duke with the No. 10 overall draft pick. Maluach will join Phoenix as part of the larger Durant trade that included players Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, as well as five second-round picks.
Charlotte received guard Vasilije Micic as part of the Williams trade. Micic had joined Phoenix earlier this year during the Jusuf Nurkic deal. Phoenix will pick up Micic’s $8.1 million team option for the upcoming season.
The Hornets used the No. 29 pick to select guard Liam McNeeley from UConn.
Maluach, just 18 years old, impressed at Duke with averages of 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game during all 39 starts in the season. His performance helped Duke reach the Final Four. Williams, also a Duke alumnus, posted strong numbers last season, averaging 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in his third NBA year after being picked 15th overall by Charlotte in 2022.
After being drafted by Houston but traded to Phoenix, Maluach shared his excitement about joining the Suns. “I’m excited to put on the Phoenix jersey that has my name,” he said. “I’m eager to play for the Suns and step on the floor.”
Maluach’s basketball journey started late; born in South Sudan, he only began playing basketball in Uganda in 2019. When NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced his name, Maluach was moved to tears. “It makes me proud because I had beliefs,” he said. “I believed in myself. No matter the odds, you can win.”
Asked about playing alongside Williams, Maluach said, “Mark has been in the league for a few years. I will learn a lot from him. He will teach me how to improve and how to stay strong all year.”
The deal for Williams came months after a planned trade to the Los Angeles Lakers fell through because Williams failed a physical exam. That deal had included multiple players and draft picks but was canceled.
Williams’ career has been hampered by injuries. Last season, he played a career-high 44 games. He is eligible for a contract extension this summer, which could help stabilize the Suns’ center position.
Maluach and Williams face the task of strengthening the Suns’ defense. Last season, Phoenix ranked 27th in defensive rating. New head coach Jordan Ott has a strong background in defense, having helped the Cleveland Cavaliers, with big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, achieve the NBA’s eighth-best defense rating.
With these new additions, Phoenix aims to improve its presence in the paint and bolster its defense for the upcoming season.
