The Phoenix Suns are at a crossroads with center Mark Williams this offseason, and it is unclear at this point if they will extend his rookie deal or be tempted into a sign-and-trade.
Just who the Suns could offload the 24-year-old to is unclear, the market for an often-injured big man is small for a reason. The Chicago Bulls had been mentioned as a team who could have interest in the past, but none other than Deandre Ayton might be about to show up and ruin that dream for Williams.
Ayton could be the big that Chicago opts to use their cap space on
With Williams trying to drum up interest for his services throughout the league, the potential availability of Ayton directly impacts what teams could be interested in signing him.
Ayton's tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers went about as well as expected, and it is clear he cannot be the leading big man on a true contender. The Bulls are most certainly not that however, and their front office have made stranger choices than this in the past.
Deandre Ayton says he hasn't thought about his player option for 2026-27. Says he trusts his agents.
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) May 12, 2026
"I love it here regardless." pic.twitter.com/qwQ1K9hss3
Who can forget signing Patrick Williams to a massive extension despite zero interest from anybody else, or going all in for Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic? If nothing else Ayton has apepared in the NBA Finals and would be available at a figure that they could talk themselves into.
Perhaps he too opts into his current deal before being traded by Los Angeles, beating Williams to the punch. With so few franchises having genuine cap space, he would then be forced into accepting whatever offer the Suns are sure to put on the table, and it is going to be a team-friendly one.
Ayton remains the more consistent big of the duo as well, and although Williams is more willing to do the dirty work and is a more physically imposing player, his lack of availability hurts his case. This would have been so different if he wasn't injured during the Oklahoma City Thunder series.
That was the perfect time to showcase what a traditional big can do against one of the best teams in the league. But with that opportunity now gone and Ayton's future uncertain, the pair are suddenly in direct competition for their next contract.
Ayton will never be welcomed back to The Valley either, so at least Williams has that going for him. Still plenty of reason to look over his shoulder this offseason.
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