Mark Williams finally gives Suns something he couldn't all season

There is no doubt that center Mark Williams has been a smash hit for the Phoenix Suns this season. The trade to bring him to The Valley from the Charlotte Hornets could have gone either way, but midway through his first campaign it has been a huge success.

Williams to play in first back-to-back of the season

The only knock on him to this point has been the fact he hasn't played in back-to-back games for the franchise, but that has finally changed.

Williams having had a massive 24 points and 13 boards in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans yesterday, which showed the world the Suns will make the playoffs, before getting the nod to play again.

This is so important because the 24-year-old is eligible for an extension, and you can be sure the amount of money he will make is going to increase after this development.

That could also spell bad news for Collin Gillespie, whose own price continues to rise, but that is a conversation for the offseason. This is a time of celebration in Phoenix.

General Manager Brian Gregory and the front office took a gamble to the tune of a pair of first round picks that Williams could be the answer to their long-standing center issues.

The Los Angeles Lakers famously backed away from acquiring the former Hornet at the deadline last season, and the fact the Suns have swooped in so successfully is such a win for them.

Williams also raises both the floor and the ceiling for this group. They're ahead of schedule and once they reach their final form under head coach Jordan Ott, his play will be an important piece of what they do.

The team are above average defensively on the campaign, and really all that was missing was being able to play in these back-to-back contests.

Holding him out made sense, even if it did frustrate fans. That will no longer be the case as the organization did the right thing in bringing him along slowly.

That has now paid off and it is unfortunate for the Pelicans that they are going to be the first team to see Williams on consecutive nights all season.

The player himself must also be confident in his body, knowing the money that is at stake for him beyond this season. What a win for everybody involved, and it comes at the perfect time.