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Phoenix Suns’ list looks very different in the fall.
Just a few days before the NBA draft in 2025, reports of a trade involving Kevin Durant appeared. The deal is expected to send the two-time NBA champion to Houston Rockets, ESPN reported Sunday.
Rockets held the tenth overall election in the draft and chose 7-Foot-2 Khaman Maluach on Wednesday. The former Duke stand out was then sent to Phoenix as part of the package of players and choices included in the Durant agreement, according to ESPN.
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Khaman Maluach arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn 25 June 2025. (Brad Penner/Imag images)
Maluach was visibly emotional moments after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced his name from the draft stage.
Maluach was raised in Uganda after his family fled Sudan when the nation was ravaged by conflict.
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He did not start playing basketball until he was 14 years old when a cab stopped and recognized his stature.
Khaman Maluach from Phoenix Suns speaks to the media after being drafted 10. Total in 2025 NBA draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in Brooklyn, New Maluach was drafted by Houston Rockets and traded to Phoenix Suns. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Maluach was a member of southern Sudan National Basketball team that pushed Team USA to Brink at Paris -ol. Before landing in Durham, North Carolina, Maluach competed at the NBA Academy Africa. He is now the highest thrown player from the academy.
“I represent the whole continent here,” Maluach told ESPN moments after he walked across the draft of the stage and shook Silver’s hand at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
“I live in Africa, I had the whole continent on my back, giving hope to young children, inspiring young children and the next generation of African basketball.”
Khaman Maluach stands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 10. By Houston Rockets in the first round of 2025 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Ny, June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imag images)
Maluach Average 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per Battle during his lonely season at Duke. He started 39 games for Blue Devils, who went on to Final Four in April.
Maluach wore a Rockets -Hat on the draft of the stage because the reported transaction he was included in has not yet become official. Maluach wore a Suns hat during a press conference after he was drafted. He expressed enthusiasm for going towards Arizona.
“I’m excited to go on the Phoenix shirt that has my name that has ‘Maluach’ on the back,” he told journalists. “I’m excited to play for Suns and step on the floor.”
