Mark Williams is headed to the Pacific Division after all.
The Charlotte Hornets center Williams has been traded to the Phoenix Suns, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Wednesday. The trade was announced in the middle of the NBA Draft, which had its first round Wednesday night.
In exchange for Willliams, the Suns are sending the No. 29 pick in this year’s draft as well as a future first-round pick in 2029 to the Hornets. That 2029 first-rounder is top 1-5 protected, Charania adds. Hornets guard Vasilije Micic was later reported to be heading to Phoenix as part of the deal too.
The 23-year-old Williams is a former first-round pick himself, going with the No. 15 overall selection in 2023. He was originally supposed to be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, who agreed with the Hornets on a trade for Williams back in February. However, that deal ended up falling through over concerns about Williams’ physical.
Williams’ agent later ripped the Lakers for failing Williams on his physical, stating that there was no legitimate medical reason for them to do so. The seven-footer Williams himself also later trolled the Lakers after they were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round this year.
With averages of 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game last season for the Hornets, Williams has plenty of upside. He will be especially useful too on a Suns team that is very weak in the frontcourt. Phoenix also landed former Duke center Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 overall pick on Wednesday and are now adding Williams to what has become a very interesting roster after their recent blockbuster trade of Kevin Durant.
