Phoenix Suns · 6 notes
Khaman Maluach getting more opportunity has helped Phoenix's offense, Devin Booker said at practice: "we found some different things that have been working for us." With Grayson Allen gone, he said, they lost 3-point shooting and "have to find ways to make up for that."
The Suns' starting center job is still open. At shootaround, Oso Ighodaro said he doesn't know whether he or Khaman Maluach will start: "I don't know. We'll find out game 1." Both want it and prepare every day to start, he said.
Khaman Maluach got more center minutes than Oso Ighodaro on Oct. 10, but Suns coach Jordan Ott said "the next night you never know." Ott called it the rookie's best performance yet. Phoenix ran its offense through him at times with Victor Wembanyama staying in the paint.
Khaman Maluach says the Phoenix Suns' starting center job is open between him and Oso Ighodaro: "it's not guaranteed for any of us... to start." Coach Jordan Ott said Maluach will begin by defending "up and aggressive" against screens, dropping back at times.
Asked if all but Mark Williams will be available Oct. 4, Suns coach Jordan Ott said "Yeah, seems that way." Khaman Maluach said everyone left the scrimmage healthy. Ott will build up heavy-minute players over five preseason games; they played 20 to 24 minutes in the scrimmage.
Ott said Phoenix saw Jalen Green as a primary playmaker before he arrived. Booker on rookie Khaman Maluach: "he's going to get that opportunity this year." Ott plans more full-court pressure after a top-10 finish: "We're gonna continue to double down."