Nicolas Dorigatti

The Phoenix Suns have made one of their most important decisions of free agency. They have given restricted free agent Mark Williams a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million contract.

Restricted free agent Mark Williams intends to sign a three-year, $38 million contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed for Williams, who averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block in 23.6 minutes per game as the Suns starting center. pic.twitter.com/3hpQ9KlZNi

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026

How We Got Here:

The Suns had a surprising season last year in which they finished seventh in the West with a 45-37 record. They played well, led by the defensive prowess that allowed them to give up the sixth-fewest points in the league. Ultimately, they made the playoffs but were knocked out in the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Williams played a major role in that surprising season. He started in 55 games after being traded from the Charlotte Hornets before the season. He averaged 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and shot an outstanding 64.4% from the field. On top of that, his efficiency around the rim and ability to finish pick-and-roll opportunities gave Phoenix an interior presence it had lacked for several seasons.

His Impact:

For a Suns roster featuring dynamic scorers on the perimeter, having a center who embraces his role is invaluable. Williams allows Phoenix’s guards and wings to create offense while providing vertical spacing that forces opposing defenses to account for him every possession. Additionally, his athleticism makes him a reliable lob threat, giving the Suns another offensive dimension that stretches defenses beyond the three-point line.

When it comes to the contract itself, three years and $38 million is a relatively modest commitment for a starting-caliber center entering his prime. Williams’ average annual salary should become even more manageable over the life of the contract. Phoenix secured one of its core frontcourt players for a bargain that gives the organization flexibility to continue building around its young core while maintaining financial room for future roster improvements.

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The Suns are looking to build off of the momentum that they had last season. To do that, they’ll need players like Williams to step up and prove that they are worth the contract that they have been given.