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What to expect from Mark Williams’ debut Suns season

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 11:15 AM ET

PHOENIX — Regardless of what the national media thinks about the Phoenix Suns, they got better in a lot of different aspects following the departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

Obviously, Phoenix isn’t competing with expectations to contend, but I’d argue its floor got a little higher. For instance, the Suns are much more well-rounded defensively, housing a generous amount of two-way wings.

Secondly, Phoenix shored up its center position , making the rotation four players deep, each with a unique skillset. One of the Suns’ newest big men is Mark Williams, who, despite being held out of the preseason, will make his Valley debut against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

But what should fans expect from the young, injury-riddled big man? Here’s what head coach Jordan Ott thinks.

“I think you’ll be able to see his added strength out there,” Ott said after Monday’s practice. “You put him on the floor, just his size. Patrolling the paint, offensively putting his head on the rim and defensively, just being in there deters players even driving. You can definitely feel his physicality right off the bat.”

Suns’ Mark Williams’ Honest History

A coach, of course, is going to talk up his guys, but Ott is right about all the aspects of his game that make Williams a starting NBA center. But he’s still a project needing to prove himself, much like many players on the roster.

The 23-year-old center has played in just 106 games in his three-year career, being plagued by injury throughout. His career-high for a season is 44 games last season. The same season he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and basically traded back when the Lakers took a look at his physical.

Keeping Williams on the floor will determine the floor and ceiling of Phoenix’s center depth, but Devin Booker hasn’t had a lob threat as good as Williams since Deandre Ayton, and Williams is a marginally better defensive presence.

Should he stay healthy, Williams will be a great young piece for the Suns this season. But, again, it’s a matter of staying on the floor.

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This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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