Williams was earlier dealt to the Lakers but trade was rescinded.
Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images
The Mark Williams saga has come to an end. That’s because, after all the trouble with the Los Angeles Lakers during last season, the center was finally traded to the Charlotte Hornets. This time, Williams is going to the Phoenix Suns, who sent the 29th pick of the 2025 Draft and a first-round pick in 2029. The Charlotte Hornets got Liam McNeeley with the 29th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 29 pick tonight and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/a6eDDn5aE6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
Williams was earlier dealt to the Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish in February, but Los Angeles announced two days later that the trade had been rescinded due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade. Reports came that the trade with Lakers fell through because Williams failed a physical.
Phoenix Suns to Build New Lineup After Picking Maluach in NBA Draft
Williams is expected to be the starter for a very different Suns team next season. For one, the team will no longer have Kevin Durant, who has gone to the Houston Rockets. The Suns will play without the two-time NBA Finals MVP, who had an average of 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Despite having the star trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Phoenix finished the season at 11th spot with a 36-46 record.
Meanwhile, the Suns used the pick from the Durant trade to select fellow center Khaman Maluach, a talent from Duke. Maluach has a 7-foot-5 wingspan with an 9-foot-8 standing reach. He can impact opposition team’s shooting and its flow offensively. The former Duke star is a rim protector, and sharp in converting field goals.
In addition, Williams will be the pick-and-roll partner for Devin Booker and Jalen Green, a former Rockets point guard and explosive offensive player. Mark Williams averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 2024-25 season. More than that, he is the defensive presence that the Suns have lacked in recent years. With that, the team should compete to return to the playoffs next season.
Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images