We've reached the halfway point of our Phoenix Suns with the most to prove this season, and it is only right that Mark Williams and his new extension would occupy this spot.
Williams must show he can be winning player for Suns as a starter
The three-year, $38 million extension was fair for both sides, but it was one of the deals the franchise reached that currently has them above the first apron. They are all too familiar with the financial restrictions of being in this position, and it is currently hampering the title hopes of one of their Western Conference opponents.
Williams needs to show that he was worth the Suns entering salary cap purgatory, and a great start would be building on the career-high 60 games played a season ago.
It is unfortunate that he was unavailable when the Suns needed him the most in a playoff sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, when a traditional center looked like just the ticket to combat some of their opponent's size right across their roster.
Luckily for Williams, he is the starting five in The Valley right now by default, with sophomore Khaman Maluach nowhere near ready to occupy that position and Oso Ighodaro looking better as a backup. That picture could change quickly, which is why the 24-year-old needs to hit the ground running.
Maluach had an explosive Summer League and may be closer to a bigger role on this roster than previously thought, while Ighodaro found joy as an athletic and sometimes undersized center who helped head coach Jordan Ott unlock different lineups last time out.
Williams must add new dimension to his game to stick in Phoenix
The extension Williams signed makes him easily tradable down the road, assuming he stays healthy. You only need to look at the Lakers' gross overpay for a guy who appeared in six games last season to see that there is a lack of quality starting big men in the league right now.
Improving in a key area such as offensive rebounding (3.1 per game last season) or developing a better two-man game with Devin Booker or Collin Gillespie would go a long way toward ensuring Williams holds down the starting berth.
The Suns ranked ninth in defensive rating (112.9) last time out, although that number rose slightly to 113.3 when Williams was out there. If he could nudge his team closer to a top five finish in this area, no easy task, it would be further proof the Suns were right to add him in the first place.
Between hungry teammates and his own body potentially breaking down, Williams will be facing competition from all angles this coming season.
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