In a surprising twist on draft night, the Phoenix Suns have secured Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in a significant trade. The Suns sent the No. 29 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft along with a future first-round pick for the promising big man.

Standing at an impressive 7-foot and weighing 241 pounds, Williams is gearing up for his fourth NBA season after a standout career at Duke. He recently posted career-high averages of 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, showcasing his ability to dominate on both ends of the court.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Williams is set to earn $6.3 million in the 2025-26 season before heading into restricted free agency—a hot commodity for a team looking to bolster its roster.

Interestingly, the Suns acquired the No. 29 pick from the Utah Jazz earlier this year. This move is part of a broader strategy as Phoenix navigates its future draft picks.

On the other side, the Hornets used that 29th pick to select Liam McNeeley from UConn, adding an elite shooting prospect to their lineup.

In a twist of fate, guard Vasilije Micic—who was brought to Phoenix from Charlotte at the trade deadline—will be returning to the Hornets as part of this deal, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Williams almost joined the Los Angeles Lakers during the trade deadline, but the move fell through when he couldn't pass a physical—paving the way for the Suns to swoop in.

This marks the second time this year the Suns have acquired a center from Charlotte, previously bringing in Nick Richards. Moreover, Williams becomes the second Duke center to join the Suns as Khaman Maluach was selected earlier in the 2025 draft.

Speaking of Maluach, the 7-foot-3 wing was a surprising pick at No. 10, given his significant athletic potential reminiscent of elite shot-blockers like Rudy Gobert. Born in South Sudan, Maluach's inspiring journey includes a stint with the NBA Academy and representation at the 2023 FIBA World Cup at just 16 years old—the third-youngest player ever in that event.

Last season at Duke, he averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while boasting a remarkable 71% field goal percentage. Despite his struggles with three-point shooting, his potential is evident, especially with a free throw accuracy of 77% indicating room for development.

The Suns picked Maluach over other prospects, suggesting a clear long-term vision to add versatile talent to their roster.