The star center that will enter NBA Free Agency after his latest decision

The future of Mark Williams at the Phoenix Suns looks very short-lived. The player will only complete one season with the Arizona franchise in the NBA. The reason? It is not expected that he will renew before the deadline, which would inevitably turn him into a free agent in the summer of 2026.

With less than ten days left until October 20 (deadline), everything points to Mark Williams and the Suns not reaching an extension agreement. As noted by Rumores NBA's Jake Fischer, from The Stein Line, the player's goal is to become a free agent in 2026, while the franchise also does not want to commit to him.

Williams, who has played only 106 games in three seasons, joined the Suns last summer from Charlotte Hornets in exchange for the 29th draft pick and a future 2029 first-round pick, the least favorable among Cleveland, Utah, and Minnesota. Phoenix bet on him as a medium-term project, aiming to reinforce a frontcourt that had lost physical presence after Deandre Ayton's departure and Jusuf Nurkić's inconsistency.

However, the Suns want to see more consistency and continuity before committing to a new contract. The coaching staff, led by Mike Budenholzer, believes Williams has elite defensive potential— especially as a rim protector— but also acknowledges that his offensive development and durability remain question marks. "He has the tools to be a starting center in this league, but we need time and evidence," an internal source from the team commented.

An unstable career

Williams' journey in the NBA has been marked by ups and downs. Before landing in Phoenix, his career had a curious episode: he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers during the summer, but the deal was subsequently voided, reopening his market. It was then that the Suns, in search of depth in the frontcourt, decided to move quickly to add him.

According to various sources, Phoenix even considered the possibility of negotiating with the Utah Jazz for Walker Kessler before finalizing Williams' arrival, ultimately opting for the former Duke player, convinced that his profile fit better in a more versatile and fast-paced system.

If an extension is not finalized before October 20, Williams would become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, giving the Suns the opportunity to match any external offer. However, the team seems determined to let the 2025-26 season be his true test.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El pívot estrella que saltará a la Agencia Libre de la NBA tras su última decisión