The Phoenix Suns gave Mark Williams significant leverage in his rookie extension talks by trading two first-round draft picks to get him on draft night. It wasn’t like this was a salary dump. The Suns have limited tradeable assets and spent the majority on this upgrade. They needed more rim protection, but this move will only get more expensive.
The market for a starting center was clearly defined this offseason. Myles Turner got a four-year deal worth $108.8 million to join the Bucks, and the Raptors extended Jakob Poeltl on a four-year $104 million contract. Both are better players than Williams, but $25 million a year is the price for a starting center. Phoenix certainly didn’t give up two first-round draft picks to watch the 23-year-old sit on the bench.
Williams will want starting center money. The only thing that may save the Suns is the big man's injury history. The seven-footer is unlikely to come too far down, especially when he can test restricted free agency next summer. This could be shaping up like the Josh Giddey situation in Chicago. The player has zero reason to give in after the franchise gave up significant assets to acquire him.
Suns gave Mark Williams the edge in extension talks
Williams’ injury history is a problem. He has never played more than 44 games in a season and averages just 35.3 per year over his first three seasons. The Suns believe they can help him stay on the court, but that is a massive if.
The 23-year-old wants to get paid. He made $18 million in his rookie contract and will be hoping for more annually in his second deal.
Williams has no reason to accept a discount after the trade. The Suns clearly value him and won’t want to lose him next summer. Expect Phoenix to hand out more than the mid-level exception to make this happen. It will be a massive overpay, especially if Williams keeps playing fewer than 50 games each year.
This was a bold move to acquire a player entering the final year of his contract. The Suns dodged both aprons by waiving and stretching Bradley Beal this offseason, but are still an expensive team for the talent on their roster. Giving Mark Williams a massive raise won’t help that cause. Phoenix could quickly be back into the aprons after this deal.
Consider this the latest head-scratching move of the Mat Ishbia era. The Phoenix Suns just gifted Mark Williams leverage by trading for him when he is extension-eligible. The two sides have until Oct. 20 to agree to a fresh contract. If they don’t, Mark Williams is a restricted free agent next summer.
Barring a significant injury, the Suns will have to pay the big man at some point, and it will likely be far too much. The theme of the Ishbia era is overpay and regret, so this won’t be any different.