Jalen Green says the Suns are on the right path
Jalen Green talks about growing during the off-season and having a good relationship with teammates.
Diannie Chavez and Diana Payan/The Republic
New Phoenix Suns big Mark Williams is definitely feeling some sort of way about the Charlotte Hornets trading him, a move that’s serving as a source of motivation.
“Just to be where you’re wanted is always great,” Williams said at the Suns media day Sept. 24. “To be here is exciting. Charlotte was ultimately where I was drafted to. There was a belief in me at some point, but once you trade me the first time, it was only a matter of time before I was gone. So I knew that was coming. I just intend to make them regret that decision every time I’m on the court.”
The Hornets first traded Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2025 trade deadline, but the deal was rescinded because he failed the Lakers’ team physical.
Suns big Mark Williams on making Hornets ‘regret’ trading him: “Just to be where you’re wanted is always great. To be here is exciting. Charlotte was ultimately where I was drafted to. There was a belief in me at some point, but once you trade me the first time, it was only a… pic.twitter.com/TZJGZou8YU
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 25, 2025
They dealt him to Phoenix this summer for Vasa Micic and two first-round picks in 2025 and 2029 (least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota, Utah).
Now Williams enters the fourth and final year of his $18-million contract looking to show and prove Charlotte made a mistake trading him.
He’ll be a restricted free agent after this season.
“He comes in every day, takes his job really seriously,” said Suns big Nick Richards, who was Williams’ teammate in Charlotte. “Very high motor guy. Great rebounder, great shot blocker.”
Williams averaged a career-high 15.3 points on 60.2% shooting, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season, but he’s also been injury prone in his three NBA seasons.
The 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Duke, Williams has played a total of 106 games in three seasons as he’s been hampered by an assortment of injuries ranging from his foot, back, knee, ankle and thumb.
“It’s tough,” said Williams, who played just 19 games in 2023-24. “It’s obviously something you can’t really do anything about. It’s not like I did anything particularly wrong. It was just some unfortunate outcomes in Charlotte, especially last year. I hurt my foot right before training camp. There’s nothing I can really do about that. It’s frustrating.”
“He comes in every day, takes his job real seriously.”
Suns big Nick Richards on Mark Williams as they were teammates in Charlotte.
Williams was watching the interview from the side.
“You want to put me on the spot with him over there.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/vvoS9hWoln
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 25, 2025
The Suns have been working this summer to help Williams build up his body in terms of strength, mobility and flexibility to enable him play more games than the career-high 44 (41 starts) he logged last season.
“He’s been with us every day since July 1,” Suns general manager Brian Gregory said. “His strength gains in the lower body have been off the charts. His work ethic on a daily basis, off the chart. His attitude, he understood where he was at and where he needed to get to and he’s worked every single day on that.”
Gregory noted Williams being just 23 years old, saying the 7-footer has a “bright future” with the Suns.
“When it comes to moving him forward, we’re going to be strategic, we’re going to be smart,” Gregory said. “He’s in a good place right now and I think in terms of what he’s been through, he’s shown glimpses of what he can be and it’s our job to put him mentally and physically in position to do that on a consistent basis.”
Suns rookie Khaman Maluach on competing with fellow bigs Mark Williams, Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro: “We’re going to help each other grow a lot throughout this season because we’re going to be competitive with each other. The practices are going to be competitive and we’re… pic.twitter.com/pbgGOCM1cQ
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 25, 2025
The Suns saw the best of Williams up close last season when he posted 24 points and 16 rebounds against them Jan. 12 at PHX Arena.
Phoenix won, 120-113, but Williams was dominant, particularly in the first half. He scored 22, missing just one shot on 10 attempts, and grabbed 13 rebounds in the half with six boards coming on the offensive glass.
The Suns managed just 17 rebounds as a team in the first half.
“When I played here last year, I was definitely feeling good,” a smiling Williams said. “I hope to have a lot more games like that in that arena and on the road, too.”
Williams is expected to start at center, but will battle with rookie 7-footer Khaman Malauch, who also played at Duke, Oso Ighodaro and Williams in training camp.
“We’re going to help each other grow a lot throughout this season because we’re going to be competitive with each other,” Maluach said. “The practices are going to be competitive and we’re going to learn from each other. We’re going to talk to each other. If somebody is making a mistake, you got to tell them and be transparent with each other. It’s going to be great.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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