The Phoenix Suns face challenges in re-signing center Mark Williams due to financial constraints after their playoff exit. General manager Brian Gregory must prioritize contracts for both Williams and Collin Gillespie this offseason.
Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
GLENDALE â After being swept in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Phoenix Suns shift their focus to a busy offseason. General manager Brian Gregory will have two crucial free agents to re-sign this Summer in Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams. While Gillespie played in 84 of the teamâs 86 games this season and was special, his contract will be much easier compared to Williams.
Once Gregory finds a contract for Gillespie, he wonât have much money to pay Williams his fair share. Including the 24 year oldâs injury history, Phoenix might let him walk this Summer because of the money problems the franchise inherits.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix center Williams (15) against the Boston Celtics in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Suns may struggle to afford Mark Williams' contract due to limited funds after prioritizing Collin Gillespie's re-signing.
Mark Williams played in the 2026 NBA Playoffs but was part of the Phoenix Suns team that was swept in the first round.
Mark Williams has an injury history that raises concerns for the Suns, potentially influencing their decision to let him walk in free agency.
The key free agents for the Suns this offseason are Mark Williams and Collin Gillespie.
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Feb 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Owner Mat Ishbia is fully energized in competing, which means dipping in the luxury tax likely wonât be a problem for him. However, conservatively thinking, if Gillespie gets around $15 million annual, the Suns would only have around $12 million annual to offer Williams before reaching the first apron threshold.
Being in the first apron prevents the use of Bi-Annual exception, the mid-level exceptions drops from non-taxpayer $15 million and room $9.3 million to $5 million and limits trades to salary matching within 110%. Gregory doesnât want to make his life harder as GM, so one could assume he will do anything to not be in the first or second apron.
Jun 10, 2025; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5g Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
A similar contract that the Suns could offer Williams, is from Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams. He had injury problems of his own, which led to the Boston Celtics signing the 28-year-old to a smaller contract than what his production showed. He is the final year of the initial four-year, $48 million deal, with a salary increase every year.
The market is completely different from when Williams signed that contract in the 2022 offseason. The salary cap was $40 million less, and without aprons made free agency much easier for teams to re-sign their players.
Phoenix could survive by letting Williams walk, seeing it drafted Khaman Maluach 10th overall in the 2025 NBA draft. However, it would make the decision to trade two first-round pick for Williams, despite them being late round picks, very questionable for a team that possesses very limited draft assets.
Jan 25, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams against the Miami Heat at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Another option is trading away player already under contract for 2026-2027 to create cap space to sign Williams. The obvious choice is Grayson Allen, seeing how he is entering his year 31 season and is making the fourth most money on the team with $18.1 million. Allen was suffering from a multitude of injuries last season and could be a sign of his body breaking down towards his later years.
Allen averaged a career-high in points and has elevated his value to the peak it can be in any trade. If Gregory could trade him for a contract under $10 million, while recouping draft picks, then he would be able to offer Gillespie and Williams contracts around $18 million and fill out the rest of the roster with minimum contracts.
The core remains relatively the same, with one of the younger guys like Rasheer Fleming or Ryan Dunn taking on more responsibility in a bench scoring role. The center rotation remains deep, with Williams, Maluach and Oso Ighodaro all sharing playing time. There is an avenue for Gregory to achieve that goal, but it comes with a price of trading a crucial bench piece.