{"id":481890,"date":"2026-02-21T12:11:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T12:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/481890\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T12:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T12:11:12","slug":"brian-gregory-happy-with-suns-rookies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/481890\/","title":{"rendered":"Brian Gregory happy with Suns rookies"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Phoenix Suns rookies Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea haven\u2019t seen much NBA action this season, but general manager Brian Gregory isn\u2019t worried.<\/p>\n

Gregory said the key for the young trio is to continue to develop so that they\u2019re ready when the time comes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest thing is with a 21-year-old (Fleming) and a 19-year-old (Maluach) is the development piece and the growth piece,\u201d Gregory told Arizona Sports\u2019 Burns & Gambo Friday. \u201cThey\u2019re significantly better players than they were a month ago, than two months ago, than three months ago. They get a ton of credit because their attitude on a daily basis has been unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gregory noticed the rookies\u2019 growth in Phoenix\u2019s loss to the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> Thursday.<\/p>\n

Though a win was out of reach, Maluach had four points, six rebounds and a steal in seven minutes. Four of his six rebounds came on the offensive boards.<\/p>\n

Fleming contributed three points and three rebounds, including two on the offensive end, in 12 minutes.<\/p>\n

However, Thursday was only Maluach\u2019s 24th game this season and the 10th overall draft pick is averaging less than five minutes per game; Fleming, the No. 31 overall pick, is averaging\u00a07.1 minutes in 31 games.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand there\u2019s an excitement about seeing those young guys play, and they\u2019re excited about it,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cThey want to play and their work ethic on a daily basis, the coaching and direction they\u2019re getting on a daily basis is starting to build a foundation, so when the time comes, they\u2019re ready again to move into the playing group and play.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the rookies haven\u2019t been with the Suns<\/a>, they\u2019ve taken advantage of playing time in the G League with the Valley Suns.<\/p>\n

Maluach and Fleming put their growth on full display Friday, as both were fixtures in the Valley Suns\u2019 win over Sioux Falls Skyforce<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Maluach scored 20 points (9 for 12) and recorded nine rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. Six of his rebounds were offensive.<\/p>\n

Fleming had 17 points (6 for 13), seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. Brea tied Maluach for a team-leading 20 points (7 for 13) and recorded six rebounds and four assists.<\/p>\n

Gregory said if it weren\u2019t for the Suns playing themselves into playoff contention this season, the rookies would be getting more playing time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was two different paths,\u201d Gregory continued. \u201cIf we weren\u2019t competitive and fighting for a top-six seed in the West, which obviously is a battle night in, night out in this side of the league, then rookies get more playing time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see some of the rookies that are playing more. A lot of them are playing on teams that don\u2019t have our record, to be honest. That\u2019s why they\u2019re getting that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, with the Suns\u2019 trade of Nick Richards, the general manager didn\u2019t rule out Maluach getting more minutes down the stretch of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith one less big in the rotation, there\u2019s that possibility,\u201d Gregory told reporters<\/a> Wednesday. \u201cI know everyone\u2019s excited to watch Khaman and Rasheer play, such bright futures for both those guys. They want to play.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re on the court every day with us, working on their game in practices and so forth. I know if the opportunity comes, that Khaman will be ready for those minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless of whether the Suns\u2019 rookies see meaningful minutes the rest of this season, Gregory thinks everyone needs to pump the brakes on creating a narrative around their futures this early in their careers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnybody that\u2019s grading a rookie class in February doesn\u2019t really understand what basketball is all about, to be honest with you,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cBecause you can\u2019t grade for three or four years in this league.\u201d<\/p>\n

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