What could Suns C Mark Williams make in free agency? ESPN’s Bobby Marks projects an offer

Suns center Mark Williams enters restricted free agency with a productive season in his back pocket. Still, his career-long injury worries put a damper on his upside, just like they did when Phoenix traded for him last offseason.

Former Nets executive and current ESPN analyst Bobby Marks still believes an eight-figure, long-term deal could be on the table. He threw out reasonable offers he’d make to the top 20 free agents.

The deal I’d offer: Three years, $42 million. The contract would start at $13 million and increase to $15 million in the third season. The first year is $2 million less than the non-tax midlevel exception.

Marks points out that Williams’ offensive rebounding played a huge role in one of Jordan Ott’s successes during his rookie coaching season: improving the possession differential to keep the Suns more than competitive.

Williams ranked in the top 20 in offensive rebounds per game and played a significant role in Phoenix’s jump from 26th to sixth in second-chance points this season. The Suns were plus-8.5 points per 100 possessions when Williams was on the court with Collin Gillespie, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale.

Other potential suitors for Williams, in Marks’ eyes, are Atlanta, Boston and Chicago.

How the Suns view the development of 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach will have an impact on whether the team feels it needs to sign Williams long-term.

Phoenix also has to juggle the free agent market for guards Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, with a decision of whether to head into tax territory.

Williams finished with a career-high 60 games played in 2025-26. He was Phoenix’s lone lob threat and its best rebounder, a mid-tier starting center if he is available — even if he does not add anything more to his offensive game at 24 years old.

But his injuries derailed the end of his debut season with the Suns, and his limitations kept him to 23.6 minutes per game when he was available.

That complicates his market for Williams, who is listed as Marks’ fifth-best restricted free agent in a class. Phoenix can extend a $9.6 million qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent, and that amount would stand as a one-year deal if no long-term agreement is reached.

He’s in a free agent class that includes centers Robert Williams III (UFA), Mitchell Robinson (UFA), Jalen Duren (RFA) and Walker Kessler (RFA). Additionally, the Lakers’ Deandre Ayton and the Warriors’ Al Horford are among the big men with player options this summer.

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