1 week ago
11
ESPN
Jun 25, 2025, 09:32 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets are trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 29 pick in Wednesday night's NBA draft and a 2029 first-round selection, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
News of the trade broke as the Suns took center Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 pick in the draft, a selection they received from the Houston Rockets as part of the Kevin Durant trade last week.
The 2029 first-rounder in the trade is the least favorable between Cleveland, Utah and Minnesota's picks and is also top five protected, sources said. The Hornets are also receiving Vasilije Micic, sources said, who was traded from Charlotte to Phoenix in February.
With Williams and Maluach, the Suns hope to solidify a center position that's been in flux since the franchise traded away Deandre Ayton.
Williams posted career highs of 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Hornets this past season, but his year will be most remembered for what didn't happen.
The Lakers agreed to a trade to acquire Williams shortly after landing Luka Doncic, but Los Angeles ultimately failed Williams' physical and rescinded the deal.
An athletic big man, injuries have plagued the 7-foot Williams -- his 44 games played this year were a career high for the 2022 first-round draft pick.
He's eligible for a contract extension this summer.
