Oso

Ighodaro

Ighodaro took a hit to his right hip during the second quarter of Wednesday’s game. Although he initially tried to play through the injury, the 7-footer was subbed out with just over a minute left in the half. Ighodaro didn’t return to the bench for the third quarter, and he’s done for the night. Khaman Maluach, who started Wednesday’s game, should play more minutes while Duop Reath slides into the back end of the rotation.

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games for the Suns last season, starting 24. In those outings, he averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. With Mark Williams sidelined due to injury, Ighodaro could begin the season as Phoenix’s starting center, with Khaman Maluach as his competition. Regardless of who wins the job, both will play rotation minutes. The contract gives Ighodaro added security, but that doesn’t change much regarding his fantasy outlook. He’s a late-round option at best.

After coming off the bench in the Suns’ first two exhibition games, Maluach received the starting nod on Saturday. The second-year center held his own, leading all players with 15 rebounds while also recording a double-double. Oso Ighodaro (8/4/5/2/2) was the replacement in the starting lineup last season when Mark Williams missed time, but many believe Maluach offers a higher fantasy ceiling. He’s worth grabbing with a late-round pick in drafts, with the potential to deliver more value if Maluach earns the starting center role.

The Suns have played two preseason games, and Ighodaro started both at center. While this may disappoint fans hoping to see Khaman Maluach (six points, seven rebounds and four assists) take the reins with Mark Williams (shoulder) injured, Oso starting isn’t a major surprise. He started 24 of the Suns’ 82 games last season and appears better equipped than Maluach to help the Suns immediately. However, Ighodaro starting the first two games doesn’t mean the final decision is made. This position battle is worth tracking through the rest of the preseason.

Maluach played nearly 10 minutes off the bench alongside Phoenix’s main rotation players in the first half, which is notable given he’s likely in line for an expanded role behind Oso Ighodaro while Mark Williams recovers from shoulder surgery. The 20-year-old former lottery pick enters his second season as a viable rotation piece as an interior defender who can help Phoenix defensively without being a non-factor at the other end of the floor. He’ll be a late-round option in most fantasy leagues, but Maluach is a name to watch early in the season to see whether his role expands.

With Mark Williams set to miss months after shoulder surgery, the Suns reportedly add another frontcourt option. Reath appeared in 32 games for the Trail Blazers last season before the Hawks acquired him ahead of the February trade deadline, and Atlanta waived him shortly after. Reath played just 8.1 minutes per game in Portland before undergoing foot surgery in January. While healthy, his prospects for achieving fantasy relevance in Phoenix aren’t much better. Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro will be Williams’ primary replacements, with Ighodaro starting 24 games last season.

Charania notes that Williams will miss “an extended period of time” after suffering the injury during an offseason workout. Williams’ injury history is extensive and well-documented, so this latest injury puts him in “do not draft” territory. Suddenly, Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach are late-round fliers in standard leagues, with Maluach the early favorite to take over starting duties due to his strong Summer League play.

Maluach has recorded a double-double in each of Phoenix’s first three games in Las Vegas, with Monday’s being the best of the bunch. Not only did he shoot 50 percent from the field and grab 10 rebounds, but the second-year center also blocked four shots. With the Suns re-signing Mark Williams, one would assume that he’ll be the starter. However, Maluach may be given every opportunity to compete with Oso Ighodaro for the backup role, especially when considering how well he’s played this week. A must-roster player in dynasty leagues, Maluach would have increased value as a backup in redraft leagues given Williams’ injury history.

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games this season, starting 24. The 7-footer’s role expanded when a foot injury sidelined Mark Williams, and that could remain the case in 2026-27 if the Suns were to move on from the former Hornet. However, one would assume that Phoenix would look to upgrade the position if that were the case, and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach would also be in the mix for more playing time. Ighodaro averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season. That production was not enough to make him much more than a deep-league streamer on nights when Williams was out.

Williams will remain sidelined for what could be the Suns’ final game of the season, as they go into Game 4 in a 0-3 hole. Oso Ighodaro has been the replacement in the starting lineup, and that should remain the case on Monday.