Oso Ighodaro has the strongest established case to replace Mark Williams as the Phoenix Suns’ starting center. Khaman Maluach’s productive summer gives coach Jordan Ott a reason to consider him for the job. The available evidence supports a substantial role for both; it does not establish that Phoenix has selected a starter.
Williams underwent surgery on September 10 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder after an offseason workout injury. The Suns have not announced a return timetable. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reports that recovery is expected to take at least five months. Counting from surgery puts that estimate around February 10, 2027, at the earliest—not a confirmed clearance date. Arizona Sports
Phoenix therefore needs a center rotation capable of lasting through much of the season. Ighodaro and Maluach offer different ways to make it work.
Ighodaro has already handled the responsibility
Ighodaro started when Williams was unavailable last season. In his September 11 assessment, Suns beat reporter Kellan Olson identifies Ighodaro’s defensive positioning, ability to switch onto different opponents and screening as established strengths. A properly placed screen creates room for a ball handler, while a center who can defend away from the basket gives Ott more coverage options. Olson’s analysis
Ighodaro appeared in all 82 regular-season games in 2025-26, averaging 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 65.3% from the field. Phoenix has a full season of evidence about how he functions within an NBA rotation as it considers him for an extended starting role. RotoWire
That efficiency needs context. Ighodaro attempted only three 3-pointers across his first two NBA seasons and shot 45.3% at the foul line last season. His high field-goal percentage does not mean he supplies shooting range. RotoWire, citing The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin, reports that free throws and 3-point shooting have been offseason priorities. Improvement would expand his role, but Phoenix cannot yet count on it. RotoWire
Maluach’s summer adds a different possibility
Maluach averaged 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and two blocks across four Summer League games. He also showed a willingness to shoot from outside, making three of seven 3-point attempts against Portland, then two of four against New Orleans. That is a small sample, but it gives Phoenix a reason to assess whether he can contribute beyond finishing near the rim. Sports Illustrated
Those performances cannot be compared directly with Ighodaro’s NBA averages. Maluach had a larger offensive role against Summer League competition. They demonstrate progress without proving that he can reproduce the scoring, rebounding or shooting against regular-season starters.
To earn the starting job, Maluach must improve more than his shooting. Olson identifies defensive positioning and the timing and angles of his screens as crucial unfinished work. Maluach can make better use of his size when he reaches the right defensive spot in time; his finishing becomes easier to use when his screen first creates an advantage. Arizona Sports
Ott could also start Maluach while retaining a major role for Ighodaro. Olson notes Ighodaro’s strong chemistry with Collin Gillespie and the second unit. Preserving that partnership could help Phoenix organize the minutes when its starters rest. Ighodaro has the firmer NBA foundation, but Ott also has to weigh which combinations work across the game.