Center Mark Williams plans to sign a three-year, $38 million fully guaranteed contract with the Suns.

Per Shams Charania, ESPN has been told that restricted free agent Mark Williams is planning to agree to a three-year, $38 million contract to stay in Phoenix. The deal comes with full guarantees. In the previous season, Williams was the Suns' starting center, posting averages of 11 points, 8 boards, and 1 block over 23.6 minutes per contest.

Shams reported that the Suns have finalized the contract with their last priority free agent. The team completed negotiations on Thursday evening, reaching an agreement with agents Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management, who represent Mark Williams.

The team re-signed young guards Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin over the weekend, and now they have successfully retained Williams as well.

Salary cap expert Bobby Marks noted that before this signing, the Phoenix Suns' total payroll exceeded the first apron by $5.4 million, while still having $18.4 million in cap space below the second apron.

Mark Williams stands 7'2" (2.16m) and weighs 240 lbs (109kg). He plays center, was selected 15th overall in the 2022 draft, and is currently 24 years old. A Duke product, he was known in college for rim protection and finishing at the basket, and has developed into a quality starting interior player in the NBA.

Williams' offense is concentrated in the paint, where he is highly efficient as a lob threat. His turnover rate ranks among the best for NBA centers. He does not need the ball to be effective, fitting perfectly into Devin Booker's pick-and-roll system. His many alley-oop dunks and short-range floaters add depth to the team's offense.

Defense is his core value. With a 7'7" (2.31m) wingspan, he is a reliable rim protector, boxes out well, and is capable of both securing defensive rebounds and holding his own against strong interior players. He moves well laterally, and his switchability ranks among the top for traditional centers.