The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, with multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players who hold value on the trade market. The following chapter in this series will examine those decisions, as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each one.
Mark Williams is fresh off an impressive season in Phoenix. I don’t want this piece to be confused with me taking that for granted. In a vacuum, he exceeded expectations
in terms of on-court production and, more importantly, in games played. That said, the way it ended was a reminder of the risk involved in extending this relationship.
We all saw it during the stretch run: the same injury worries that plagued Mark Williams in Charlotte haven’t disappeared. While the talent is undeniable, being available is a skill. If the deal is right, I’m not entirely opposed to a reunion at a discounted price, but even then, the best course of action may be to move on.
John Voita put together a great piece highlighting the case to bring him back, linked below.
The Depth Chart
The acquisition of Mark Williams came moments after the Suns drafted Khaman Maluach, a move that initially left many confused in the moment. A team that had almost no depth at center suddenly had plenty, creating a built-in succession plan.
Based on how things unfolded, it was probably for the best to slow-play Maluach. The potential is there, but Phoenix understood he was a multi-year project. They may not get the ROI on a top-10 pick for Khaman until his rookie deal is up, but the upside is so tantalizing it’s worth it. Also, keep in mind that in addition to Maluach, you have Ironman Oso Ighodaro, who played in all 82 games for the Suns last season.
Oso Ighodaro: Ighodaro played all 82 games this season, providing twitchy athleticism and secondary playmaking that keep the offense from becoming stagnant. He certainly had some struggles early in the year, but his development into an eventual staple in the Suns’ rotation was a sight to behold.
Khaman Maluach: At just 20 years old next season, Maluach has already shown high-intensity flashes in limited minutes, including a dominant 5-block and 18-point performance against the Thunder. He is 7’2″ and possesses perimeter-switching ability upside, along with elite rim protection. He still has plenty to figure out, but there is a strong chance he becomes a defensive force in the next couple of seasons.
Between Oso and Khaman, life after Mark may not be as rough as one may think on the surface. Finding capable backup centers is not difficult, whether via FA, the draft, or trade. With two capable young bigs on cheap, rookie-scale contracts, paying a premium for a third center is a luxury a “fragile” contender can no longer afford in today’s NBA.
It all simply comes down to what Phoenix’s goal is this offseason.
The “Availability” Tax
The question with Williams has always been the same: can he stay healthy?
While he appeared in a career-high 60 games this year, the back half of the season was a stark reminder of the risks. Williams missed the entire postseason with foot issues, leaving a gaping hole when the games mattered most. Is that constant worry something you want to live with on a long-term basis?
In an era where the salary cap strategy is tightening, the Suns cannot afford to anchor a large chunk of their cap to a player who has yet to prove he can survive a full NBA calendar. If a team like Brooklyn or Toronto is willing to offer upwards of $18 million to $20 million annually, the Suns should leverage that interest into a sign-and-trade rather than matching.
Extract whatever value you can out of a sign-and-trade (assuming there are multiple suitors) and move on. Now, if Phoenix can get him at a more reasonable rate, then the discussion shifts. His market dictates how this entire process goes down, and it’s too early to tell what that looks like entirely.
As mentioned previously, capable backup bigs are among the easiest assets to find through free agency, trade, or even the draft. It’s all about asset allocation, his value, and risk management.
- Resource Allocation: Matching a high offer for Williams could limit the team’s ability to fix other exposed areas of the roster.
- Trade Value: Currently, Williams’ value is still high based on his per-game efficient production of 11.7 points and 8.5 rebounds, along with him still being just 24 years old.
- Risk Management: Selling high now avoids the risk of his value cratering if the injuries persist next season.
Closing Thought
The Suns need to prioritize availability and cap flexibility this summer. We have the youthful bigs in Maluach and Ighodaro to bridge the gap and provide the athleticism this roster desperately needs. It’s time to move on from the Mark Williams experiment before the next breakdown turns a tradable asset into an immovable contract if the price isn’t right. Williams had a strong season overall, but the risk may be just too much for him to return.
As Gambo notes, there is still a strong chance he returns, so his contract negotiation will be a storyline to follow closely in the early summer.
