Mark Williams Says He Will Suit Up for Suns on Opening Night
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The Phoenix Suns’ newly acquired center Mark Williams insists he will be in uniform when the team opens the regular season, despite a carefully managed workload during training camp.
“They traded two first-round picks for me,” Williams told reporters. “I’ve talked to everyone from the top down.”
Phoenix landed the 23-year-old in an offseason deal with the Charlotte Hornets, sending this year’s No. 29 overall pick and a protected 2029 first-rounder as part of the package. Charlotte used the 2025 pick to select forward Liam McNeeley.
Williams has taken part in every training-camp drill except live five-on-five action, the Arizona Republic reported. Head coach Jordan Ott said the club is closely monitoring the 7-footer’s progress. “We’re trying to assess exactly where he is,” Ott explained. “The goal is, at the end of camp, get him as ready as he can. He’s on a good path.”
The former lottery pick averaged 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds in 44 games (41 starts) last season but has appeared in only 106 contests over three years because of foot, back, knee, ankle and thumb injuries. A mid-season trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was voided last year after medical reviews.
Williams focused on strength work during the offseason and could see limited or no action in preseason games, according to Ott. The center enters the 2025-26 campaign in a contract year and will become a restricted free agent next summer.
“I’m in a good place,” Williams said. “They have a plan in place for me to be ready for opening night. I’m doing everything in my power to be able to endure a full season.”
Source: HoopsRumors
