They say you're not supposed to be too much weight behind Summer League play, but try telling that to the Phoenix Suns.
So impactful were the trio of Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and rookie Koa Peat, that the franchise elected to shut them down after four games in preparation for next season.
Suns' need for Mark Williams on this roster already lessened
Which has created a dilemma for the Suns and head coach Jordan Ott (coming off a wonderful first season in The Valley) because they just extended their starting center in Mark Williams who already looks like his role is about to be lessened.
The 24-year-old had a career year last time out, including in games played at 60, but he had a low bar to clear after an injury-plagued time with the Charlotte Hornets. Williams has his uses and on some nights can anchor a defense and cause all manner of issues for opponents in the paint.
But he's never going to be able to play a full season, and because of injury is yet to appear in the playoffs ever having missed the matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sophomore Maluach has already gained considerable ground on Williams compared to the tail end of last season, and in Las Vegas played with a ton more confidence.
He is growing into his own dominant frame, while Peat looks like the ideal small ball five with how tenacious he is at grabbing rebounds. Fleming isn't a direct threat to Williams' spot on the court, but you can bet he'll be coming after some of his minutes.
We haven't even spoken about Oso Ighodaro, who has finally found a role on this roster alternating between the forward and center positions.
The final layer of discomfort here is with the introduction of Miles Bridges. Feels like we saw that movie before in Charlotte, and it was instantly forgettable. In defense of the Suns they're only paying Williams $38 million across the next three years, so it's not like they can't bring him off the bench.
But already it looks like this roster is passing him by as the Suns look to have nailed their last two draft picks who unfortunately for Williams mostly occupy the same position as him on the court. Having Williams come off the bench and play only 60 games a season is a luxury this team can't afford, and which their young players are exposing badly by improving so quickly.
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