Mark Williams is quietly becoming one of the most impactful additions to the Phoenix Suns’ roster this season - and it’s time we start giving him his due.
The 24-year-old center has brought a new level of interior presence to the Valley, and while the Suns’ success this year can be attributed to a number of factors, Williams has been a steady, underrated force anchoring the paint. Simply put, Phoenix hasn’t seen a big man this effective since the Deandre Ayton era - and Williams is already carving out his own lane.
Health Was the Question - Now It’s the Answer
When the Suns acquired Williams, there were questions. Not about his talent - that was never in doubt - but about whether he could stay on the floor consistently. Injuries had limited his availability during his time with the Charlotte Hornets, and his ability to handle the grind of an NBA season, especially back-to-backs, was still unproven.
Fast forward to now: Williams has answered those questions emphatically. He’s been available for multiple back-to-back sets, and that consistency has helped Phoenix string together wins.
It’s a development that didn’t come overnight. Early in the season, the team was cautious with his minutes and workload, but as the year’s progressed, so has his reliability.
Charlotte Saw the Talent - But Not the Timing
Drafted 15th overall by the Hornets in 2022 out of Duke, Williams was always viewed as a high-upside prospect. Charlotte believed in his long-term potential, and rightly so. But the injuries kept stacking up, and the Hornets never got to see that potential fully realized.
By the time the 2025 trade deadline rolled around, Charlotte was ready to move on. They had tried to send him to the Lakers in a deal that ultimately fell through, and when Phoenix came calling, the Hornets decided to cut bait. It wasn’t about talent - it was about timing and circumstance.
Now, with Williams already on pace to eclipse his career-best 44 games played in a season (he’s at 39 and counting), it’s clear that patience might have paid off. Instead, it’s the Suns reaping the rewards.
A Big Decision Looms in Phoenix
Phoenix didn’t give up two first-round picks for a short-term rental. They see Williams as part of their future, and with restricted free agency looming, the front office will have to put their money where their mouth is. That extension won’t come cheap - especially if other teams like Toronto start circling - but the Suns know what they have.
Williams has brought rim protection, rebounding, and a vertical threat in the pick-and-roll that fits seamlessly with the Suns’ offensive schemes. He’s not just holding his own - he’s elevating the team’s ceiling.
A Missed Opportunity for Charlotte
The Hornets, to their credit, have shown some signs of progress this season after pivoting in a new direction. But there’s no denying that moving on from Williams - especially after previously acquiring both Josh Okogie and Jusuf Nurkic in separate deals with Phoenix - stings a bit more now. Neither Okogie nor Nurkic stuck around in Charlotte, and both are finding success elsewhere.
That contrast only underscores the job Phoenix’s front office is doing. They’ve built a reputation for making savvy moves and coming out ahead in trades. And right now, the Williams deal is looking like another win.
Mark Williams may not be grabbing national headlines just yet, but make no mistake - he’s becoming a foundational piece in Phoenix. And if he keeps trending upward, the Suns might have found their center of the future.