Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming reflect on their second year in Summer League

LAS VEGAS — After the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and bought out Bradley Beal this summer, all the attention turned toward how the team planned to build around Devin Booker, whom Suns management has continued to express the team is building around despite numerous rumors and mock trades surrounding the NBA All-Star.

Along with acquiring Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, two of the most important pieces the team is planning to build around are Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach, who are getting their second go-around in NBA Summer League after both played sparingly in their rookie years. Both were acquired in the deal that sent Durant to Houston.

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After the team’s second game in three days and an 81-75 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, the two reflected on their second stints playing in Summer League in a joint postgame interview.

Maluach, who’s currently leading the Summer League in rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 50% from three on 5.5 attempts a game, has said he’s been given opportunities to learn how to be more adaptable. He’s trying to find ways to improve while playing and when no one’s watching.

“I go back and watch film and just observe the game and just really get better. Continuing while the game is going on, keep on adjusting, keep on getting better throughout the whole game,” Maluach said.

While he’s been strong on the boards and has averaged a combined three steals and blocks per game so far, the Duke product is focused on cutting down his turnovers after averaging 3.5 in his first few contests. He knows as a young center it’s something he needs to focus on.

“Being a young big, when the (regular) season gets here I know a lot of people are going to pressure up into me and try to make me turn over the ball, and I just gotta be able to take care of the ball so that my coach can trust me with the ball.”

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Fleming, who has had a rough start to Summer League shooting just 36.8% from the field, is taking pride in doing the small things and being a leader as a veteran on the roster, along with Maluach.

“Just being…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/khaman-maluach-rasheer-fleming-reflect-170000644.html

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Publish date : 2026-07-13 17:00:00

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