Season in Review: Mark Williams was as advertised

Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we revisit every player who suited up during the 2025–26 campaign through the lens of expectation, reality, and what it ultimately meant.

Player Snapshot

2026-27 Contract Status: RFA ($9.6 million qualifying offer)

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*SunsRank is based on Bright Side writers’ ranking.

Season in One Sentence

While Mark Williams provides the rim deterrence and verticality this roster craves, his inability to stay on the floor makes him a luxury that a shifting contender has to think twice about overpaying for.

By the Numbers

GP

MIN

PPG

RPG

APG

BLK

FG%

3PT%

FT%

OFFRTG

DEFRTG

+/- (TOTAL)

60

23.6

11.7

8.0

1.0

0.9

64.4%

1.000%

77.1%

111.3

113.3

-42

The Expectation

Many folks knew what to expect in Mark Williams. A lob threat who could rebound and alter shots defensively. He has an insane wingspan and standing reach, and provides size that this Suns team hadn’t had a ton of in recent years.

The hope was straightforward: Mark Williams would serve as the definitive interior anchor for the future. A physical, high-motor bridge center who could lock down the paint while rookie Khaman Maluach learned the ropes. Phoenix needed a consistent, 60-70 game defensive presence capable of solving the team’s interior rebounding woes and anchoring the backline.

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Phoenix handpicked Williams as a trade target moments before drafting Khaman Maluach. The vision was clear. Add more youth, size, and athleticism, and figure the rest out later.

PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 9: Khaman Maluach #10 and Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns high five before the game against the New York Knicks on January 9, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Reality

When he was active, the physical impact was obvious. Williams is an elite lob threat with a massive wingspan and a legitimate motor. He gave the Suns true…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/season-review-mark-williams-advertised-120000796.html

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Publish date : 2026-05-16 12:00:00

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