News Summary
The Phoenix Suns will not extend center Mark Williams’ rookie contract due to concerns about his injury history. As he approaches restricted free agency, the team plans to assess his performance this season. Williams, who has had limited playing time over his first three NBA seasons, has showcased potential when healthy. The Suns are adopting a cautious approach while evaluating his health before considering any contract negotiations.
Phoenix – The Phoenix Suns are expected not to extend center Mark Williams’ rookie scale contract before the upcoming NBA season due to ongoing concerns regarding his injury history. According to recent reports, the Suns management feels it would be best to assess Williams’ performance during the next season before making any long-term commitments.
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Williams is set to become a restricted free agent next offseason. After being acquired by the Suns via a trade from the Charlotte Hornets during the draft night, expectations for Williams have fluctuated due to his previous health issues.
Over his first three NBA seasons, Williams played in only 106 games, which has raised alarm bells for the Suns’ front office. The team’s management, as detailed in the reports, aims to carefully monitor Williams’ health and performance this season before engaging in any potential contract negotiations. Despite his injury concerns, Williams has showcased considerable potential on the court. While healthy, he averaged 14.5 points, 10 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks with an impressive shooting percentage of 61.5% over the last two seasons.
Head coach Jordan Ott has expressed optimism about Williams’ readiness for the season opener against the Sacramento Kings scheduled for October 22, 2025. However, Williams has not participated in the preseason games as a precautionary measure. Recently, he has returned to live practice sessions, signaling a positive step toward his health and readiness for the upcoming season.
In the event that Williams faces further health challenges throughout the season, the Suns will look to Nick Richards and rookie Khaman Maluach to step in as center options. Early evaluations of Maluach have been positive, adding depth to the team’s roster in this critical position.
The Suns are adopting a cautious approach with Williams, focusing on building a healthy roster and ensuring redundancy at the center position. The management believes that providing Williams a full season to demonstrate his ability to stay healthy is essential before deciding on any future contract extension. The focus remains on evaluating the players effectively and preparing adequately for the challenges of the upcoming NBA season.
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Additional Resources
- SI.com: Phoenix Suns Approach to Mark Williams
- Wikipedia: Mark Williams
- Arizona Sports: Mark Williams Extension
- Google Search: Mark Williams NBA
- Hoops Wire: NBA Notes on Mark Williams
- Google News: Phoenix Suns
- CBS Sports: Suns Mark Williams Update
- Google Scholar: Phoenix Suns Mark Williams
- Valley of the Suns: Mark Williams Trade Regret
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Phoenix Suns
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
