The Phoenix Suns have re-signed starting center Mark Williams to a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million contract, according to ESPN.
Williams averaged 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 60 games for the Suns this past season. He joined Phoenix this year after spending three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, who originally selected him 15th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Duke.
Despite his role as a starter, Williams' new deal places him as the 34th-highest-paid center in total value and 32nd in average annual value, according to Spotrac. This valuation reflects concerns about his availability due to a lingering foot injury that has impacted his career, causing him to miss 162 games in his first four seasons. The injury also sidelined him for the Suns' first-round playoff series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Last season, the Suns achieved a 45-37 record, with their performance dipping towards the end due to injuries. The contract extensions for Williams, along with rotation guards Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin to four- and three-year deals respectively, indicate the team's strategy to maintain a similar core for the 2026-27 season.
The Suns acquired Williams from the Hornets on draft day. Previously, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on the 2025 trade deadline day, but that deal was voided after he did not pass his physical examination.