Phoenix Suns Face Uncertainty at Center After Injury

NBA Phoenix Suns Face Uncertainty at Center After Injury

By João Bitencourte

September 20, 2026 • 12:02 PM EDT

Updated 1 hours ago

Phoenix Suns Face Uncertainty at Center After Injury

Williams’ injury has put the Phoenix Suns in a suddenly challenging position at center. With just weeks to go before training camp, head coach Ott and his staff need to figure out who’s grabbing the opening tip-off. The battle is wide open, with Oso Igodaro bringing experience, Khaman Maluach sporting sky-high potential but rookie question marks, and Duop Reath arriving as the latest depth addition. For a team hoping to push up the Western Conference, the outcome will shape both short-term results and the season’s big-picture trajectory.

Right now, most around the Suns see Oso Igodaro as the frontrunner. He’s got chemistry with key second-unit players, like Gillespie, and has shown he can connect the starting five as a point-center. Still, Khaman Maluach’s upside is hard to ignore — rim protection, size, and flashes of range that could redefine the team’s look down low. Duop Reath, a new signing, adds another wrinkle. He’s played all over the world, stretches the floor, and comes with a no-nonsense mentality, but he’s undersized for an NBA center and not known for his defense or rebounding. According to Yahoo Sports, this mix of veteran steadiness, raw tools, and training camp wild cards means nothing is set in stone just yet.

After Williams went down, the backup options became urgent business. While the front office moved quickly with Reath, who’s on a training camp contract, the overall center rotation is still unsettled. Oso is probably the safest bet to open the season, but the Suns’ ceiling rises if Maluach proves ready — and risks tumble if early foul trouble or rookie mistakes bite him. For now, every indication is that Ott will use preseason showdown and scrimmages to keep the competition open and truly let the best man win. But the pressure is on: opponents will be eager to see if Phoenix cracks inside.

The New Depth Chart and Why Every Choice Is Risky

Losing Williams takes away a proven rebounder, rim protector, and now forces a change in style.
Oso Igodaro is the early favorite for the starting spot, thanks to his high basketball IQ and connectors’ skill-set, but he’s not a big-time scorer.
Khaman Maluach is untested and could struggle with fouls or positioning, but offers significant upside if he adjusts quickly.
Duop Reath gives Phoenix another option. He scores from outside, but his defense and rebounding lag behind what the Suns need from their bigs.
Experimenting with small-ball lineups is now inevitable, putting extra stress on Phoenix’s forwards and guards to gang-rebound and defend the paint.

The Duop Reath Signing: What It Means

The Suns have brought in Reath as a training camp wild card. He plays bigger than his listed height, offers some pick-and-pop potential, and is known for his hard-working mentality. But he struggled to secure a spot in Portland and has bounced around since, partly thanks to a foot injury. His contract shows he’s fighting for a roster spot, not locked in as a rotation guy. Where Phoenix is unsure is whether his outside shooting can outweigh his defensive limitations — and whether he’s more than injury insurance. If nothing else, the front office’s urgency signals they will not leave this critical spot to pure chance.

How Big Is the Loss of Williams?

There’s a real gap. Williams brought a lot of under-the-radar value with his rebounding, hustle, and positional defense. Several Fantable contributors highlighted how Williams’ absence last season was a factor in a disappointing end. Without him, there’s every chance Phoenix will be forced into more small-ball — which could mean mixed results depending on matchups. There’s also risk that rookies like Maluach will be asked to do too much, too soon. For Suns bettors, all this uncertainty means extra volatility, especially on defensive stats, rebounding props, and early-season win totals. The market is giving Phoenix a modest win increase, but I’m skeptical. Don’t just trust the bookies’ optimism — this loss could be felt, especially when the grind of the season drags on.

Key Developments Shaping the Suns’ Center Spot

Williams’ injury opens the contest to Oso Igodaro, Khaman Maluach, and Duop Reath
Oso offers steady passing and defense, but lacks traditional size
Maluach is the high-potential project, but foul trouble is a risk
Reath adds shooting, but is undersized and a questionable defender
Coaching staff will experiment in preseason and training camp
Suns must now experiment with small-ball options more than ever

Key Takeaways for Suns Bettors and Fans

No clear starter at center — preseason will determine the pecking order
Expect Oso Igodaro to get the first crack, but the door is open for Maluach
If Maluach struggles with fouls, Suns could suffer on the glass and defensively
Duop Reath’s shooting gives the bench a new look, but trust in his defense is low
Injury forces Phoenix into small-ball lineups, possibly lowering their rebounding stats
Vegas bumped win total to 40.5, but this looks optimistic given center uncertainty
Monitor preseason rotations and training camp notes before locking in future bets
Biggest risk is how the defense holds up against physical, experienced centers in the West

More coverage: NBA news coverage, NBA analysis and odds and NBA expert picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oso Igodaro is the early front-runner for the starting center spot. He brings stability, passing, and defense, but the role is still up for grabs with Khaman Maluach and Duop Reath in the mix.

Maluach offers size, rim protection, and shooting potential. However, he’s untested at the NBA level, and early foul trouble or confusion could be a problem until he adjusts.

Reath is fighting for a spot on a training camp contract. He adds a three-point threat and loads of international experience, but his defense and rebounding are question marks at NBA level.

Williams’ absence removes a reliable defender and rebounder, forcing the Suns to rely on less-proven bigs and to possibly play more small-ball, altering lineup balance and defensive strategy.

Yes. With depth at center limited, fans should expect more small-ball lineups, shifting forwards and even guards to play frontcourt positions and increasing reliance on team rebounding.

The uncertainty inside could lead to volatility in results, especially early in the season. Vegas has raised the win total to 40.5, but caution is warranted given the unproven center options.

Pay close attention to rotations, how Maluach handles NBA physicality, and whether Reath can surprise in camp. These battles will decide not just roles, but potentially the Suns’ season trajectory.