Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns Acquire Center Mark Williams from Charlotte Hornets in All-Star Move

Williams was earlier dealt to the Lakers but trade was rescinded.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for Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish in February, but Los Angeles announced two days later that the trade had been rescinded due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.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.

Also Read: Boston Celtics Reportedly Listening to Offers for One of their Top Two Remaining Stars Outside of Tatum

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.

MAN MAN TO PHX‼️👿🌞🔟@khaman_maluach ➡️ @Suns pic.twitter.com/K6Ccqsn1JY
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) June 26, 2025

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

Charlotte Hornets

Mark Williams

Phoenix Suns

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

wnba

A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.