NBA TRADE: Phoenix Acquires Hornets Center Mark Williams

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Phoenix Suns’ NBA off-season moves aren’t over after landing uprising center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets announced on June 26, 2025.

To proceed with the trade, the Hornets sent three players as part of the massive package: Vasilije Micic and two 2025 first-round rookie draft picks.

Williams is the latest addition after the Suns decided to move on from star small forward Kevin Durant who was sent to the Houston Rockets in exchange for eight players.

Jalen Green, Houston’s young buck who was projected to become the franchise’s future superstar, became a part of the Durant trade including the team’s two-way defensive stopper Dillon Brooks and six other additional draftees from the 2025 rookie class.

Williams was supposed to join the Los Angeles Lakers when they opted to tap his services but due to unfortunate circumstances, the trade didn’t push through and left the purple and gold with a huge hole in their frontcourt.

According to multiple reports, Williams failed his physical examination and the Lakers immediately had long-term health-based concerns.

Initially, the Lakers and the Hornets already agreed upon the trade, with a 2031 first-round pick and shooter Dalton Knecht ready to be moved by Los Angeles.

Now that Williams is again available in the free agency market, the retooling Suns didn’t hesitate to grab the talented and athletic big man to backstop Devin Booker and Green for another shot at qualifying in the Western Conference playoffs.

Last season was a heartbreak for Phoenix as the star-studded squad headed by their three-headed monster of Booker, Durant, and Bradley Beal failed to punch a ticket to the postseason.

Despite the depth and the offensive firepower that the team had, the Suns suffered a declining path in the final 20 games of the NBA regular season and halted their playoff streak.

Williams will be a key addition to the team as the dominant presence in the shaded lane averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 44 games played with the Hornets.