Oso Ighodaro Doubtful for Monday Against Thunder
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (oblique) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin. Ighodaro injured his right oblique late in the first half of the season opener and missed Saturday's win over Golden State. Head coach Jordan Ott said Phoenix believes it avoided a serious injury, but Ighodaro appears headed for another absence. He played all 82 games last season, averaging 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. With Mark Williams (shoulder) also out, Khaman Maluach should stay busy after posting nine points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks on Saturday.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Oso Ighodaro Out for Suns' Home Opener
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (oblique) has been ruled out for Saturday's home opener against the Golden State Warriors, according to The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin. The 24-year-old suffered a right oblique strain after recording eight points, three rebounds, and three assists in 15 minutes against Portland. Head coach Jordan Ott said Phoenix hopes the injury is more day-to-day than long-term. With Mark Williams (shoulder) already sidelined, Khaman Maluach should take on more responsibility at center after grabbing six rebounds in the opener, while Duop Reath could also see additional minutes.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Oso Ighodaro Exits Season Opener with Hip Injury
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (hip) exited Wednesday's 124-83 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers shortly before halftime and did not return. The 24-year-old was seen grabbing at his right hip after missing the preseason finale with hip soreness. Ighodaro had eight points, three rebounds, and three assists on 4-for-7 shooting in 14 minutes before leaving. With Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined for an extended period, any absence would leave Khaman Maluach with a larger role at center and could push two-way big Duop Reath into the rotation. Maluach saw only 8.9 minutes per game as a rookie, but there would be plenty more opportunity available if Ighodaro is forced to miss time.
Source: azcentral
Source: azcentral
Khaman Maluach to Start Season Opener Against Portland
Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach will start Wednesday's season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, according to The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin. The 20-year-old gets the opening-night nod over Oso Ighodaro after the two competed throughout camp with Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined following surgery. Maluach averaged 3.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 8.9 minutes across 46 games as a rookie but closed the preseason with seven points and 12 boards in 24 minutes against Utah. If he keeps the job, his rebounding and shot-blocking give him a path to useful fantasy production.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Oso Ighodaro Agrees to Three-Year, $29 Million Extension with Suns
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (hip) agreed to a three-year, $29 million extension through 2030-31, his agent Erika Ruiz told ESPN's Shams Charania. Phoenix is also exercising his $2.5 million team option for 2027-28, with the extension beginning in 2028-29. Ighodaro averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 22.1 minutes while shooting 65.3% across all 82 games last season. With Mark Williams (shoulder) without a timetable after labrum surgery, Ighodaro appears to have the edge over Khaman Maluach for the opening-night job. His four playoff starts, when he averaged 7.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 32.2 minutes, showed useful fantasy upside with added playing time.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Oso Ighodaro Fills the Stat Sheet in Win Over Spurs
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro recorded eight points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in 21 minutes during Saturday's 102-98 preseason win over the San Antonio Spurs. He shot 4-for-7 from the field after moving to the bench following starts in Phoenix's first two exhibitions. Khaman Maluach got the start Saturday and grabbed 15 rebounds, keeping the battle for the starting center job wide open while Mark Williams (shoulder) is sidelined. Ighodaro's scoring ceiling is limited, but his passing and defensive stats could make him useful if he earns enough minutes.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Khaman Maluach Posts Double-Double in First Preseason Start
Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach recorded 10 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in Saturday's 102-98 preseason win over the San Antonio Spurs. The second-year big shot 4-for-9 from the field and led all players on the glass in his first preseason start. Maluach had come off the bench behind Oso Ighodaro in Phoenix's first two games, but this performance gives him a stronger case for the starting job while Mark Williams (shoulder) is sidelined. Another good showing Wednesday would keep the pressure on Ighodaro, and Maluach's rebounding and shot-blocking give him the higher fantasy ceiling if he wins the role.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Oso Ighodaro Competing for Starting Center Job
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro isn't assuming the starting job is his while Mark Williams (shoulder) is sidelined. Ighodaro told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that he has been competing with Khaman Maluach for the past two months and believes the role still has to be earned. The 24-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in 27.4 minutes across 22 games without Williams last season. That production gives Ighodaro a useful fantasy path if he wins significant minutes, though his 45.3 percent free-throw shooting remains a clear drawback.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Khaman Maluach Draws Strong Praise Ahead of Camp
Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach has made a noticeable jump heading into his second season, according to Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports. Devin Booker said the 20-year-old has made "the biggest leap" of any Suns player he saw this summer and called him "way ahead of the curve." Maluach averaged just 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes as a rookie before posting 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game in Summer League. With Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined for several months, Maluach and Oso Ighodaro are in line for increased center minutes. If Maluach earns the larger share, his rebounding and shot-blocking could quickly put him on the fantasy radar.
Source: Kellan Olson
Source: Kellan Olson
Duop Reath Lands One-Year Deal with Suns
The Phoenix Suns are signing forward/center Duop Reath (foot), ESPN's Shams Charania reports, with Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro adding that it's a one-year, veteran-minimum deal. Reath adds depth with Mark Williams (shoulder), expected to miss several months following labrum surgery. The 30-year-old hasn't played since Jan. 18 after a right-foot stress fracture required season-ending surgery, but he shot 41.8 percent from three in limited action last season. Reath can provide a floor-spacing option, though Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro have the clearer paths to meaningful minutes and fantasy value while Williams is sidelined.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Rasheer Fleming Could See Bigger Role in Year 2
Phoenix Suns forward/center Rasheer Fleming could see a larger rotation role in 2026-27, with John Voita of Bright Side of the Sun projecting him as the backup power forward with occasional minutes at center and small forward. The 22-year-old averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes as a rookie, but those numbers climbed to 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 18.9 minutes across 24 of Phoenix's final 25 games. Miles Bridges projects to start, leaving Fleming to battle Ryan Dunn and rookie Koa Peat for reserve minutes. Fleming showed late-season shooting growth, but he still needs a steady role before becoming a reliable fantasy option.
Source: John Voita
Source: John Voita
Khaman Maluach in Line for Bigger Role
Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach should see his role expand with Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss at least five months, leaving Maluach and Oso Ighodaro as the main internal center options. The 2025 lottery pick barely cracked the rotation as a rookie, averaging 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds across 46 games, but he raised his profile in Las Vegas by averaging 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks over four Summer League games while shooting 53.2 percent. Ighodaro is the steadier connector and Marks noted Phoenix was plus-5.1 points per 100 possessions with him at center last season, so Maluach will not be handed the job outright. Still, the size, blocks, and rebounding upside make him a clear camp riser.
Source: Bobby Marks
Source: Bobby Marks
Mark Williams Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Out Several Months
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (shoulder) underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum and will miss an extended period, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported that Williams is expected to miss at least five months, putting an All-Star-break return near the front end of the timeline. The 24-year-old had just re-signed on a three-year, $38 million deal after the healthiest season of his career, averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 23.6 minutes across 60 games. Phoenix will now have to lean harder on Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro. Maluach has the size and upside to push for the starting job, while Ighodaro played all 82 games last season and offers the safer minutes floor. Both get a clear fantasy bump, though Maluach carries the higher blocks-and-boards ceiling.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Mark Williams Agrees to a Three-Year Deal With the Suns
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams intends to sign a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million contract to return to Phoenix. The 24-year-old is coming off the healthiest season of his career, averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 23.6 minutes while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. He still carries availability risk after missing the first-round series with a left foot stress reaction, but the deal gives him the inside track to remain Phoenix's starting center. Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro are worth monitoring behind him, although Williams should remain the preferred fantasy option if he holds the top role.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Suns Tender Qualifying Offers to Mark Williams and Koby Brea
The Phoenix Suns have tendered qualifying offers to center Mark Williams and guard Koby Brea, making both restricted free agents, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. Williams drew a reported $9.6 million offer after the 24-year-old started 55 of 60 games and averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds. A late-season foot issue that sidelined him during Phoenix's first-round series against Oklahoma City clouds both his market and durability profile. If Phoenix loses or moves Williams, Oso Ighodaro and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach would be candidates for larger center minutes. Ighodaro carries the cleaner near-term fantasy appeal, while Brea remains off fantasy radars after averaging 15.0 points in the G League.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
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