The Phoenix Suns secured promising center Khaman Maluach at No. 10 in the 2025 NBA Draft thanks to a key behind-the-scenes call orchestrated by his agent, Rich Paul.
The Phoenix Suns selected South Sudanese center Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and it looks like they may have found their big man of the future.
Points this season
Phoenix Suns
NBA
But the story behind how they landed him—and how the NBA business really works—is worth noting.
The Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Charlotte Hornets were all expected to pick Maluach, but he surprisingly fell to the tenth spot.
One possible reason? His agent, Rich Paul—the owner of Klutch Sports and longtime friend of LeBron James.
A video recently surfaced showing Paul on the phone with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, discussing the possibility of Maluach landing in Phoenix.
"If you guys keep 10, I'm going to mention a name, and you tell me how much you like him. Khaman Maluach. If I could get him there," Paul said.
"A lot. That would be my first choice," Ishbia quickly replied.
"Okay, done deal," Paul then said. "That's all I needed to hear. I'm going to try my best because you're our first choice. If he gets past Brooklyn, then yeah. But let me make those calls so I can let you do what you need to do."
Maluach, 18, averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game during his time at Duke. He was also teammates with the number one overall pick, Cooper Flagg.
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