Much has been made of Jalen Green and how this is a make-or-break year for him with the Phoenix Suns, but center Mark Williams and his health is the actual x-factor for this group.
Career year for Williams raises ceiling of this roster
Fresh off a fair extension for both sides (three-years, $38 million) and still only 24-years-old, if Williams can improve upon his career high 60 appearances of last season, it gives the rest of the center depth the chance to come along at their own pace.
Williams averaged 23.6 minutes per game last time out, and if he can get back to the 26.6 we saw during his last season with the Charlotte Hornets, the Suns are going to benefit on the defensive end of the court. They may lose some presence there with the addition of Miles Bridges (who will want to score in bunches), but Williams is a legitimate defensive anchor who scares away drivers.
This would allow Oso Ighodaro to split more time between the four and the five, and the prospect of playing alongside Williams would be a daunting one for opponents trying to score inside the paint. Add Dillon Brooks and the always feisty Jordan Goodwin to that group, and you're looking at a truly elite defensive team.
Ighodaro coming off the bench as a bouncy center also unlocks new lineups for head coach Jordan Ott, and he is at his best when there is less pressure to produce right away. He found his footing midway through last season, but initially starting at the five did not go well.
Khaman Maluach main beneficiary of Williams being dominant
Williams holding down the starting position all campaign long would also be great news for sopohmore Khaman Maluach, who would then have the opportunity to beat up on second units as he gets more reps.
His Summer League explosion has fans dreaming of him taking over the starting spot sooner rather than later, but we're not there yet. What a luxury it would be for the franchise to have two guys capable of starting on any given night in their rotation, having suffered through the Jusuf Nurkic/Drew Eubanks/Mason Plumlee era.
Still only 19-years-old, knowing he can drop to the G League for a couple of games or have Ighodaro step into the backup role would do wonders for Maluach's development and confidence.
That is only possible if Williams stays healthy and his absence does not have to force others into action and create a gaping hole in their center rotation, which is what makes him the true x-factor in The Valley this season.
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