The Phoenix Suns exchanged for Mark Williams during the tap night and sent Vasilije Micić, the 29th pick and a first round of 2029 to the Hornets. They needed a starting center and found one in Williams, but there is one big problem – injury history.
Williams will not play in Phoenix’s first preseason match later tonight (October 3). Ott said he doesn’t think the center will play in the two preseason matches of the Suns in China on 10 and 12 October. Phoenix then returns to PHX Arena to play his last pre -season match on October 14 against the Lakers. That is not a game in which the starters of the team will play, so it seems that Williams will not play at all in the preseason, even if he was available for that game.
Ott said Williams did everything except Play live 5-on-5. Ott said that the suns try to “judge” where the center is, and that the goal is that he is “ready as he can” at the end of the camp. Whether he will be available for the season opener on October 22 is still indefinite.
Ott and Gregory both said that Williams is on a good way, but it is hard not to be afraid that he will not play 5-on-5.
Mark Williams will probably not play in the preseason for the Suns
Phoenix wanted Williams to build this low season in the lower body to combat injuries, and he did. Fans want to believe that he is in the best position, he has been in health since he enters the competition in 2022, but it is difficult to know for sure until he takes the floor.
Williams comes from a season in which he played 44 games, his career high. He only played 19 games during the 2023-24 and 43 season as Rookie. He has trouble staying healthy, a trend that will take care of fans will continue in Phoenix. That is why the Lakers have withdrawn their pre-deadline trade for him.
Nick Richards, who spent two seasons with Williams in Charlotte, said that this will be one of the “best years” for Williams, as far as playing in as many games as possible. “He said he hopes that Williams will play in more than 70 games, a high rating for someone who barely hit the 41 game halfway.
On Mediadag, Williams said that he wants to “prove” his availability and said he wants to be more on the field.
The Suns have said nothing negative about the status of Williams, but only good things. Yet playing five-five is still worrying, with the start of the regular season less than three weeks away.
Hopefully this is nothing more than Phoenix is careful with his new starting center, as Ott and Gregory said. Let it not be a sign of what is coming.
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