The Phoenix Suns seem to have concluded their business in NBA free agency and will only make potential roster changes through trades or waiving players. According to ESPN’s senior NBA insider, Shams Charania, they intend to give Mark Williams a three-year, $38 million contract extension.
“Restricted free agent Mark Williams intends to sign a three-year, $38 million contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed for Williams, who averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block in 23.6 minutes per game as the Suns’ starting center,” wrote Charania on X.
“The Suns lock in the last of their own priority free agents, finishing negotiations with Williams’ Excel Sports Management agents Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Gertler on Thursday night. First, young guards Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin over the weekend, now Williams,” he further added.
Williams’ contract is fully guaranteed and is expected to earn $11.7 million in 2026-27, $12.7 million in 2027-28, and $13.6 million in 2028-29. The Suns are currently projected to be $5.1 million under the second apron hard cap, but have all 15 of their roster spots filled now.
The main question for the Suns as a result of this move was over the development of their young centers, Khaman Maluach and Oso Igudaro. According to the Suns’ insider John Gambadaro, this move looks like a confirmation that Williams may be traded when Maluach or Igudaro are ready to take the next step and become a starter over him.
“A couple of things here. The Mark Williams three-year contract is very tradeable, especially if he plays well. He will start, and when Maluach is ready, whenever that may be, Mark can either be a backup or be traded. Second, I understand many fans wanted a big move, not to run it back with a team that got swept in the first round by OKC,” wrote Gambadaro on X.
“What I would say is that they are going to rely on a second year of Jordan Ott and his system, the health of Jalen Green and Grayson Allen, the development of Fleming and Maluach, and just continuity of playing together with the same guys to improve on last season- how much? Not sure, but I would think their goal is to get into a top six seed and improve on last year’s win total,” he concluded.
Gamabadaro believes the Suns would begin the season with Williams in the starting lineup. Still, over time, he will become a tradable asset for the team, who could easily ship him to another team if they look to make a superstar move this summer or if the young centers just outperform Williams.
Williams ended last season averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.9 blocks through the 60 games he played in 2025-26 while going 64.4% from the field. He was injured during the 2026 playoffs, so the Suns did not get a chance to evaluate a fully healthy team in the playoffs.
Thus, I would not anticipate Williams to be moved before February or maybe even next season, but if the Suns are going to plan any big moves in the trade market, then consider it almost certain that Williams would be a part of that package.
