Khaman Maluach Carries Heavy Expectations as Suns Eye Duke Star to Complete Kevin Durant Trade
The dust has barely settled after the stunning late-night announcement that shook the NBA to its core—Kevin Durant, a cornerstone of the Phoenix Suns’ championship hopes, is now a Houston Rocket. The timing? Just moments before the 2025 NBA Championship Game tipped off. The shockwave was immediate, the stakes enormous, and now all eyes turn to what’s next for the Suns.
And that “next” could very well be Khaman Maluach, the towering 7-foot-2 center from Duke, who might soon find himself labeled as the final piece of the Kevin Durant trade legacy in Phoenix.
The Durant Era Ends, and Opportunity Knocks
The blockbuster deal sent Durant packing and left a gaping hole in the Suns’ frontcourt—a void not just in points and minutes, but in presence. The trade, however, brought Phoenix the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a golden opportunity to fill that void with a fresh, high-ceiling talent.
Enter Khaman Maluach.
Once a relatively unknown prospect, Maluach has skyrocketed up draft boards after an eye-popping season with the Duke Blue Devils and a standout performance at the NBA Draft Combine. Now, he’s not just a top-10 contender—he’s potentially the Suns’ long-term solution and their answer to post-Durant identity.
A Physical Force Built for the NBA
Maluach’s measurements at the Combine turned heads. With a standing reach of 9-foot-6.5 and a staggering 7-foot-6.75 wingspan, he recorded the longest wingspan in the 2025 class. His physical dominance isn’t just for show—he proved his defensive prowess at Duke, averaging 3.8 defensive rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in his lone collegiate season.
His timing, instincts, and presence in the paint make him a nightmare for opponents. What Durant offered in elite scoring and versatility, Maluach can match with rim protection, vertical spacing, and shot-altering ability. He may not be KD, but he fills a critical piece of the Suns’ evolving puzzle.
The Duke Connection: A Draft Class to Remember
While Cooper Flagg is all but guaranteed to go No. 1 overall—likely to the Dallas Mavericks—his former Duke teammates aren’t far behind. Kon Knueppel and Maluach are both rising stars projected to be top-tier first-round picks. If Phoenix chooses Maluach at No. 10, they wouldn’t just be adding size—they’d be getting a player from a proven developmental system with NBA-ready tools.
With five former Blue Devils expected to hear their names called during the two-round draft, the program’s NBA pipeline is alive and thriving. And Maluach’s draft night could become one of the most pivotal moments of the entire event.
High Stakes, High Pressure, High Potential
Being labeled the final asset in a Kevin Durant trade comes with weight—immense pressure that could derail or define a young career. But for Maluach, that might be exactly the kind of fire he needs to ignite his journey.
If the Suns pull the trigger, the expectations will be sky-high. He won’t just be the new face in the locker room—he’ll be the embodiment of Phoenix’s next chapter. A raw, powerful center who could anchor the team defensively and develop into a cornerstone for years to come.
Draft Night: The Future Begins
The 2025 NBA Draft tips off Wednesday, June 25, at 8 p.m. ET, with the second round continuing the next night. As franchises shape their futures, few picks will carry as much narrative weight as Phoenix’s No. 10.
Will Khaman Maluach be the Suns’ answer? Will he rise to the occasion and transform the pressure of replacing Durant into fuel for greatness?
The story is only beginning. And Phoenix is ready to turn the page.
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