ESPN’s Golliver: Suns’ biggest roster hole is lack of a proven starting-caliber center

The Phoenix Suns starting center competition has been one of the bigger storylines throughout training camp and preseason.

The two candidates are third-year big Oso Ighodaro and second-year big Khaman Maluach.

Neither have been full-time starters in their NBA careers so far, but with Mark Williams projected to miss significant time with a shoulder injury, one will need to assume the role.

ESPN senior writer Ben Golliver projects that the lack of experience in the Suns’ center room is their biggest roster hole currently.

Ighodaro, 24, is a fluid and versatile option who fits Ott’s high-pressure style, while Maluach, 20, earned rave reviews at Las Vegas Summer League in July. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-11 Ighodaro lacks the traditional size needed to handle the league’s most physical centers, and the 7-foot-1 Maluach must prove he has the stamina to make a meaningful impact after logging just 411 minutes as a rookie. The Suns’ hopes of building on an unexpected 2026 playoff appearance are in jeopardy: They played at a 46-win pace with Williams in the lineup and a 41-win pace when he was sidelined last season.

Maluach profiles much more like a traditional center. However, he’s still a raw player and his game needs a lot of refining.

Maluach dominated NBA Summer League this offseason with averages of 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and two blocks while shooting 53.2% from the field.

Ighodaro has started two preseason games so far, with Maluach backing him up.

Ighodaro has played 16 minutes per game, mostly with the starting unit, while averaging 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and two assists on 71.4% shooting so far, while Maluach has played 21 minutes per game with averages of seven points, 4.5 rebounds and two assists on 62.5% from the field.

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