This precautionary measure very well may be a blessing in disguise for the Suns

This may seem bad, but truly I think this shows the Suns understand the situation with this big man.

The Phoenix Suns kick off their preseason debut against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, and fans are eager to see them take the court. With all the new faces and significant changes this team underwent during the offseason, we expect a different outlook from past seasons.

That being said, there is one player who has already been ruled out for this contest, and that person is Mark Williams.

Williams was brought over to Phoenix via a trade on Draft Night 2025. The Suns gave a good ole’ ring to their besties on the East coast in Charlotte and struck a deal to get the center over to the Valley. After a failed trade to the Lakers at the past trade deadline, it was obvious Williams would be looking for a different home. This trade seemingly failed due to him “being injured,” and even if we do not know the full extent of that, it has been a stain on the big man’s career.

His availability has limited him from getting the recognition he deserves, and he needs to prove that he is one of the better big men in this league. With that being said, this concern still seems to be a concern in the Valley ahead of their first contest, but ultimately, this may not be as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

Williams’ Injury History

Injuries in his career have always limited Williams. In his first three seasons, the center has suited up for only 104 games, with a season high of 44. This has severely limited him from showcasing his ability to be the rim protector and shot blocker he truly is.

In that small sample size, though, he has been impressive, averaging 12.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. If he were to have a healthier season, the actuality of him averaging a double-double is possible, and something the Suns can see as well.

Why could this be beneficial?

Having a player start the season not participating in the first contest is not a good look for Phoenix, but in this situation, it could be better than most think. If Williams is truly not ready for five-on-five contests, as coach Jordan Ott illustrates here, he should take it slow.

Not to mention that the Suns have dealt with injury-riddled teams the past two seasons. With now having some insurance in their front court, featuring Khaman Maluach, Nick Richards, and Oso Ighodaro, this is no longer as glaring an issue as it was in the past. With this stability, Williams can fully catch up to speed and be ready when they need him most, by the regular season start.

With Charlotte also being an injury-riddled team in the past, it shows why they did not take this precautionary time with Williams in the past. Since they needed him, they would rush him out there, whereas Phoenix is doing the opposite, which could give some promise.

Final Thoughts

This is not the best thing for the Suns, but it is not the worst thing that could happen to start the year. With them having the additional depth in the front court, this should allow the remaining centers to find their spot in the rotation. For Mark, it will enable him to be fully committed to the start of the season and give the team the best option for a promising building year out west.