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Suns GM explains why the team picked Khaman Maluach in NBA draft

The Phoenix Suns’ general manager emphasized the reasons that led the team to pick Duke center Khaman Maluach No. 10 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

NBA free agency is almost here and the Phoenix Suns could be busy as they continue to try to rebuild their roster in the wake of the Kevin Durant trade to the Houston Rockets and after their 2025 NBA Draft moves.

What could the Suns do in 2025 NBA free agency? Who could they sign? Who could they trade? Who could they trade for?

Check out the latest news, rumors and speculation surrounding the team for the 2025 NBA free agency period, which officially starts at 3 p.m. MST on June 30, with chatter that includes Russell Westbrook, Nick Richards, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neal, Collin Gillespie, Bol Bol and others. Teams can sign free agents beginning July 6.

Analysis: How Phoenix Suns could approach free agency after Kevin Durant trade

The Athletic: Bradley Beal’s ‘preference’ is to stay with Phoenix Suns

Fred Katz offered this update on Beal’s situation with the Suns ahead of NBA free agency: “Beal would be open to the right trade that sends him the right destination, but his preference is to remain in Phoenix, even if the team won only 35 games a season ago and just downgraded from Kevin Durant, who it dealt to the Houston Rockets last weekend.”

ESPN: Potential free agents who fit with Phoenix Suns

Bobby Marks has a list of possible fits with the Suns in NBA free agency. The list? Chris Paul, De’Anthony Melton, Markelle Fultz, Paul Reed, Braxton Key, Lamar Stevens, Cameron Payne, Delon Wright, Jordan McLaughlin, Keaton Wallace, Reece Beekman, Luke Travers, Oscar Tshiebwe, Branden Carlson and Micah Potter.

Fadeaway World: Heat, Hornets, Bucks, Wizards potential landing spots for Bradley Beal in trade

Nico Martinez wrote: “After firing head coach Mike Budenholzer, team owner/governor Mat Ishbia remains committed to building a contender, and he knew it would take more major changes to get his team back on the winning track. While Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause, many believe his departure is the next domino to fall, and you might be surprised by the opportunities that await him in the league. At 32 years old, with career averages of 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, Beal has the kind of skillset that can be hugely impactful in the right situation. And while he’d prefer not to leave the Suns, he might be willing to change his mind if one of these teams has an offer to make this offseason.”

ESPN: Phoenix Suns should buy out Bradley Beal

Bobby Marks wrote of one move he would make if he worked for the Suns: “Negotiate a contract buyout with Bradley Beal that reduces his $110 million in guaranteed salary to $80 million. The $80 million is then stretched over five years, giving Phoenix a $16 million cap hit per year. The savings would put Phoenix under the first and second apron and save the Suns nearly $200 million in luxury taxes.”

ESPN’s Shams Charania posted: “Free agent guard Sam Merrill intends to sign a four-year, $38 million contract to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. The Cavs negotiated the new deal with Kieran Piller and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports, a success story for the 60th pick in 2020 draft.”

Some people had thought the Suns could pursue Merrill.

Bleacher Report: Spencer Dinwiddie would be good fit with Suns in NBA free agency

Greg Swartz wrote: “Following the Kevin Durant trade, the Phoenix Suns have approximately 23 wings and no real answer at point guard. Obviously, some roster balancing needs to happen before the fall. Still in the second apron, the Suns will need to find some bargains with nothing but veteran minimum contracts to hand out. Dinwiddie played under one with the Dallas Mavericks last year and was well worth his money.”

Fansided’s Will Eudy wrote: “At its core, the issue isn’t about a lack of star power. It’s about redundancy. All three of Phoenix’s lead guards prefer to create with the ball in their hands. All three can fill it up, but none of them are natural facilitators. Tyus Jones was a solid lead ball-handler last season, but that experiment lasted just one year, and with no new deal in place, he could walk for nothing. Phoenix may not be able to outbid other suitors if Jones finds a better fit. And if Tyus leaves, there’s not a clear backup plan. The Suns have no real path to a replacement-level point guard, let alone a true floor general. Their salary structure is bloated at the top and flimsy everywhere else. They’re expected to continue cost-cutting this summer, which makes acquiring a legitimate lead ball-handler almost a pipe dream.”

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report wrote: “Jones is a borderline starter, a low-turnover guard who can shoot three at a high clip. He’s also relatively small in height and stature, which can compromise a playoff defense. While he can rack up assists, he’s not a Ja Morant or Kyrie Irving attacking guard applying constant drive pressure. But he’s super-stable, easy to fit on almost any team and looking for a pay raise after money ran dry last season, and he ended up with the Suns on the minimum. Everything he does well fits the Orlando Magic’s needs. What he doesn’t, the Magic provides with a big, tough, long physical roster.”

The Suns’ roster looks like it is going to be very different in the 2025-26 season from the 2024-25 season.

Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks coming to the Suns.

Mark Williams was traded to Phoenix in a deal that included sending Vasilije Micic to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Suns drafted Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.

Trade speculation continues to surround Bradley Beal, Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen and others still currently on the Suns’ roster ahead of NBA free agency, where the Suns could potentially make a lot of other moves.

It’s already been a wild offseason in Phoenix and it could just be getting started.

Koby Brea NBA Draft grades 2025: Phoenix Suns’ second-round pick receives different marks

The Phoenix Suns could attempt to trade Bradley Beal as part of their rebuild after the Kevin Durant trade, if they can find any possible suitors for Beal, and if Beal would agree to the trade (he has a no-trade clause).

Bleacher Report’s Andrew Peters listed three teams as potential landing spots for Beal in a trade: The Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz.

Here’s what he wrote about the Bulls possibility: “The middling Chicago Bulls have been linked to Beal as they look to make a jump and reach the playoffs next season. The Bulls have a relatively cheap roster, but it’s also one that finished 39-43 last season. Now could be the time to spend and try to make a surprise playoff run. The East is set to have a bit of a down year since Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton are both set to miss most of the season with torn Achilles injuries. Bringing in Beal is certainly a risk because of his expensive contract, but he could help the Bulls improve tremendously and take advantage of a weak conference.”

Rasheer Fleming NBA Draft grades 2025: Phoenix Suns trade up for ‘tremendous addition’

Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz wrote: “Jones could take over his brother’s role last year as the team’s starting point guard or play behind a backcourt of Devin Booker and Jalen Green.”

The Suns addressed some needs in the NBA Draft and with the Mark Williams trade, but still could use a point guard with Tyus Jones probably gone in NBA free agency.

The Republic’s Chris Coppola addressed how the team could address that need in a recent column: “The Suns also have other assets they could deal in a trade, perhaps from the extra shooting guards or from what appears to be a few extra big men now (Nick Richards and Mark Williams played together in Charlotte). Seeing Phoenix make an effort to beef up the front line is welcome, no doubt. But another year without a true starter-quality point guard as this team tries to regain its footing seems short-sighted. Someone needs to restore order on the court. Help limit the turnovers. Create the spacing that makes Devin Booker flourish. (Ott and Gregory probably know this. So let’s see how they respond.”

Who is Khaman Maluach? What to know about Phoenix Suns’ first-round 2025 NBA Draft pick

The Arizona Republic: Suns could target Russell Westbrook in NBA free agency

Duane Rankin wrote: “The 36-year-old Westbrook still plays hard and with high energy. He checked both boxes coming off the bench for the Denver Nuggets this season. Those qualities fit the type of player Suns team owner Mat Ishbia described he wanted after a 36-win season. Plus, he’s still productive. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds.”

Khaman Maluach NBA Draft grades 2025: Did Phoenix Suns ace No. 10 pick?

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report wrote: “Looney would be a nice veteran to play behind injury-prone Mark Williams and rookie Khaman Maluach.”

“Phoenix is very open to moving multiple of these veterans as they reset with a more youthful, athletic roster around Devin Booker,” NBA Insider Evan Sidery posted.

Why would the Suns try to deal those players?

Rankin wrote about the possibility of moving Allen and O’Neale earlier this week in The Arizona Republic.

He explained: “The Suns have tradeable assets in Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale that could lead to acquiring players who better suit what the Suns are trying to build moving forward. The two cost the Suns more than $100 million in luxury tax penalties this past season. Allen is on a four-year, $70-million deal and O’Neale has a four-year, $42-million deal. Moving one of them is another way for the Suns to work under the second tax apron and have more roster flexibility. With Dillon Brooks, the Suns have in essence the same player in terms of shooting 3s.”

NBA Draft grades 2025: Phoenix Suns draw mixed reviews for Maluach, Fleming, Brea picks

The Arizona Republic: Suns could target Gary Trent Jr. in NBA free agency

Here’s what Duane Rankin wrote about Trent Jr.: “His late turnover that led to Tyrese Haliburton’s driving layup to give Indiana Game 5 — and the first round series — over Milwaukee aside, Trent Jr. is one of the game’s best 3-point shooters. In that series alone, Trent Jr. shot 50% from 3, hitting nine in Game 3, which the Bucks won, and eight in Game 5. For the season, Trent Jr. shot 40.6% from 3 this past season.”

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Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported that Phoenix will not be bringing back Bol Bol.

Bol averaged 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 36 games, including 10 starts last season, but never found consistent minutes on the court.

NBA Draft 2025 recap: Tracker, picks, trades, analysis, reaction from first round

Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that the Tennessee guard will play for Phoenix in the upcoming NBA Summer League.

Gainey averaged 11.7 points and shot 35.8% on 3-pointers in 138 games between two seasons at Tennessee and two at USC Upstate.

NBA Draft 2025 recap: Tracker, picks, trades, analysis, reaction from second round

The Republic’s Duane Rankin included Nance Jr. among his Suns’ potential NBA free agent targets, writing: He’ll likely not settle for a veteran minimum, but the Suns could sell the free agent on playing in Phoenix where his dad, Larry, made his first All-Star game in 1985. Live body. Athletic. Can play a role. Nance Jr. addresses the lack of frontcourt depth. He suffered a season-ending knee fracture in Atlanta this season. His health is a concern moving forward. If Nance Jr. comes back ready to rock, he’ll be part of somebody’s NBA rotation.”

More: Phoenix Suns among NBA draft winners, losers for Khaman Maluach pick, Mark Williams trade

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that the Suns have agreed to a two-way contract with CJ Huntley, a forward from Appalachian State.

Huntley averaged 15.7 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game last season in 33.6 minutes per game. He shot 35.6% from 3-point range.

Who is Rasheer Fleming? What to know about Phoenix Suns’ second-round 2025 NBA Draft pick

Might Spencer Dinwiddie be a good fit with Phoenix?

Duane Rankin wrote: “He’s a combo guard who can hit tough shots. Fearless and can be instant offense off the bench. He cooked the Suns in Game 7 of the 2022 Western Conference semifinals, scoring 30 points in 25 minutes off the bench. Dinwiddie is still capable of delivering big games. He went for 31 points in leading Dallas past Detroit on March 21 without Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.”

‘What on earth?’ Phoenix Suns’ trade for Mark Williams blasted by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith

Draft Express reported that Mascari will play for the Suns in the Summer League, a potentially intriguing addition for the Suns.

Last season, Mascari, a guard, shot 40.3% from 3-point range and scored 9.4 points per game for the Bulldogs.

Could the Phoenix Suns look to sign Sam Merrill in NBA free agency. he does have a big connection to the team.

Duane Rankin wrote: “Merrill has familiarity with new Suns coach Jordan Ott as the two were in Cleveland together last season. Ott was an assistant with the Cavs. Good size at 6-foot-4. Nearly 87% of his shot attempts were from 3-point range (137-of-368).”

Could Phoenix bring back restricted free agent Collin Gillespie?

A two-way player last season, Gillespie finished the season strong for the Suns, posting six double-figure efforts in his final 12 games. He scored a career-high 22 points and had 10 assists in a 124-109 loss March 28 at Minnesota.

Who is Mark Williams? What to know about Phoenix Suns center from NBA Draft 2025 trade

Duane Rankin contributed to this story.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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