Suns' Khaman Maluach Reveals Devin Booker's Message to Him During 2024 Olympics
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the most active teams during this offseason. Owner Mat Ishbia clearly was displeased watching his team go 36-46 with the highest payroll in the history of the NBA and began making massive changes immediately. The day after the regular season ended, Ishbia fired head coach Mike Budenholzer despite having four years and $40 million left on his contract.
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That proved to be just the first of many significant changes, as shortly after, Ishbia moved James Jones, who had held the position of general manager since 2019, into an advisory position to install Brian Gregory at the position. Gregory and Ishbia's relationship goes back to Michigan State where Ishbia was a player and Gregory an assistant coach.
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Suns' Khaman Maluach reveals Devin Booker's message to him during 2024 Olympics
With Gregory at the helm of the front office, he went to work and executed a trade that many believed had been in the works for a long time. He sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks as part of a now-historic seven-team deal.
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With the No. 10 pick, the Suns used it to bolster their frontcourt and selected Duke center Khaman Maluach. After being drafted by the Suns, Maluach shared an exchange he had with star guard Devin Booker the year before at the Olympics.
"I'm so excited to play with [Booker] now," Maluach said. "Because I remember one night in Paris, I met him at dinner and he was sitting at the other table and I told my agent I want to go say what's up to him.
"I shake his hand and he was like 'see you in a year.' I thought he was saying see you in a year in the NBA and now we're going to be on the same team."
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Maluach's high motor and defensive ability were one of the reasons for Duke's success last season. He's bursting with potential both offensively and defensively, as many believe he can develop into a decent shooter at the next level and stretch the floor.
Fortunately for Maluach, the pressure likely won't be on him right away, as the team worked a deal later on draft night with the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams. They'll likely look to bring Maluach along slowly while getting the most they can out of Williams in an attempt to compete right away.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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