On Wednesday evening, the 2025 NBA Draft is being held at Barclays Center in New York.
During the night, ESPN's Shams Charania reported the news that the Phoenix Suns have made a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams.
Via Charania: "BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 29 pick tonight and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN."
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 29 pick tonight and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/a6eDDn5aE6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
Williams finished the 2024-25 season with averages of 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest while shooting 60.4% from the field in 44 games.
Charania also wrote: "The 2029 first-rounder is least favorable of Cleveland, Utah, and Minnesota (1-5 protected), sources said. Size was a problem for the Suns last season and they addressed in a big way with Williams and Khaman Maluach. Hornets net two first-rounders."
The 2029 first-rounder is least favorable of Cleveland, Utah, and Minnesota (1-5 protected), sources said. Size was a problem for the Suns last season and they addressed in a big way with Williams and Khaman Maluach. Hornets net two first-rounders. https://t.co/7eMqTmSPjS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
The Suns are coming off a tough season where they finished as the 11th seed in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record.
They missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Via Sam Quinn of CBS Sports: "As Laker fans well know by now, I am a huge Mark Williams believer. I love the swing the Suns just took on him, especially since they also have Maluach now so their risk is muted.
Between the two, I feel pretty good that they got their long-term center."
As Laker fans well know by now, I am a huge Mark Williams believer. I love the swing the Suns just took on him, especially since they also have Maluach now so their risk is muted.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 26, 2025
Between the two, I feel pretty good that they got their long-term center.
Meanwhile, the Hornets were the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 19-63 record.
They last made the NBA playoffs in 2016.
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