If you've been watching the NBA Playoffs since the Phoenix Suns bowed out at the first hurdle, then you will know about the struggles of first time All-Star Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons.
He's likely to make an All-NBA team, yet in the fourth-quarter and overtime of his side's recent Game 5 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was benched in favor of their second and third string bigs.
Mark Williams will one day put Suns in similar spot if extended
Duren bounced back some in his side's Game 6 victory, but at this point it is clear he can be played off the court in certain series. Which is exactly what will happen with Mark Williams in The Valley if the Suns decide to extend his rookie deal.
The 24-year-old was desperately needed in the sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but due to injury never made it onto the court.
Should he be brought back, and a sign-and-trade appears unlikely right now, then there are many future opponents who can go small and make his redundant in a series. Williams is too slow defensively for smaller forwards, while he's not quick enough to stick with those kind of players either.
If you take him away from the basket he also struggles, while offensively he does not have a consistent move to spam opponents with. Even in the pick-and-roll if he's not able to just charge his way to the basket, there is not a lot more he can do.
Saddling themselves with a player like that who would have to be benched in a playoff series in favor of Khaman Maluach or Oso Ighodaro (even if that same series is showing him ways he can improve) is not a wise way to spend money and build a contender.
This may also explain why the organization may be prioritizing bringing back both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin this offseason instead. At least that duo can guard bigger opponents and make sense in a playoff rotation.
The same cannot be said for Williams, who has never even appeared in a playoff game.
Even Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, awesome in shutting down Nikola Jokic only a few short weeks ago, is not immune to this. The reality being that dominant centers can both win you a series and be forced to sit out pivotal moments depending on the matchup.
That is not a problem unique to the Suns, but when you factor in the health issues as well, you can understand why the Suns would be reluctant to do this.
Jalen Duren might just have saved the Suns from making a massive mistake this offseason.
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