Mark Williams To Sign Three-Year Deal With Suns

Williams came to the Suns in a draft-night deal in 2025 after the Hornets’ initial February 2025 trade with the Lakers was rescinded due to concerns over the big man’s medical outlook.

The 24-year-old center played a career-high 60 games this past season, averaging 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per night. Given that Phoenix also drafted center Khaman Maluach 10th overall in 2025, it was unclear how much they would prioritize retaining Williams this summer, but this contract gives them a moveable, team-friendly deal for a young player that still has room to grow.

A standard rate increase would have Williams’ starting salary come in around $11.7MM, Yossi Gozlan notes for The Third Apron (via Twitter), putting the Suns $4.3MM under the second apron hard cap and $16.4MM over the luxury tax line for 15 players. The team could still waive one or more of its players on non-guaranteed contracts to make room on the projected 2026/27 roster for new additions.

The deal is fully guaranteed, despite lingering concerns over Williams’ health and durability, and it contains no options, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link).

Phoenix initially had hoped to sign Williams to a two-year deal, but the annual value agreed upon was low enough that the team was willing to add a third year, says John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (via Twitter).

After agreeing to re-sign Jordan Goodwin along with Collin Gillespie and then drafting Koa Peat with the 30th overall pick on Tuesday, the Suns have taken care of filling out their roster early in the offseason.