Which Suns newcomer will make the biggest impact in 2025-2026 season?

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns don’t have much turnover from last year’s embarrassing season. The franchise has 12 newcomers that came from the trades, free agency, the draft and even in head coach Jordan Ott. Of the new players, they all carry a unique talent or skill that will help the Suns rebuild back to relevance after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

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Experienced veterans, like Dillons Brooks or Jalen green, or young rookies, like Khaman Maluach, could be the X-factor for next year’s roster. However, the newcomer that has all the tools to make the biggest impact for the Suns is former Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams.

All Suns newcomers for next season:

• Via trade:
  • Dillon Brooks
  • Jalen Green
  • Mark Williams
• Signed in free agency:
  • Jordan Goodwin
  • Nigel Hayes-Davis
  • Jared Butler
• Drafted/Two-ways:
  • Khaman Maluach
  • Koby Brea
  • Rasheer Fleming
  • Isaiah Livers
  • CJ Huntley

Williams was one of 15 players to average a double-double last season, with 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds. He was 17th in offensive rebounding, averaging three a game. The 23-year-old seven footer is a dangerous lob threat and is uber athletic going at the rim or protecting it, recording 1.2 blocks last season.

Having a stellar playmaking point guard like Lamelo Ball helped Williams offensive production, especially in pick-and-roll opportunities. He had a 28.9% frequency of being the roller in his offensive possessions, which led to the eight-best points generated by a roller at 4.2 a game. Williams is the only one of two non All-Stars in the top 10 in that category, outside of Deandre Ayton.

ESPN’s John Hollinger created a measurement called “Player’s Efficiency Rating.” The list had last year’s three MVP vote getters occupying the top spots: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The top 10 of the list is filled with All-Stars, All-NBA players, and then Williams, who’s 23.48 rating is ninth in the league and ahead of Karl-Anthony Towns, Lebron James and Jimmy Butler.

Last year, Williams was in a proposed trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, that surely would’ve made them title contenders with the pairing of Luka Doncic and Lebron James. However, like much of the story of his career, injury concerns and a failed physical halted that process.

In three seasons, Williams has only played in 106 games, which is 43% of potential games. The talent is obviously present but being on the sidelines for a majority of games can hurt a reputation. The Suns were able to grab Williams because of that factor for a limited price of the 29th pick from the 2025 draft and a 1st-round pick in 2029, which is the worse of CLE/UTA/MIN.

The surplus of centers on the roster has made the Williams trade and low-risk, high reward for the Suns. Top-10 pick Maluach and last year’s starter Nick Richards can be slotted into the starting lineup if Williams is sidelined again due to injury.

Regardless of the health issues, if, and it’s a big if, Williams can stay healthy, he raises the team’s ceiling tenfold next season. Richards and Maluach are solid options but neither are close to the dynamic power of Williams on both ends of the floor.

Superstar guard Devin Booker will slot into the Ball role for Williams to create another unstoppable pick-and-roll duo. Booker was tied for 10th in assists last season and has grown as easily the best playmaking two guard in the NBA. While Ball had injury issues, Booker is an iron-man and will likely always be on the court to be the facilitator for Williams.

The counting stats and analytical numbers love Williams, the last hurdle is to play 75% of the games next season. The Suns have the depth to replace Williams, but not a quality enough substitute to make a serious playoff/play-in push next season. It wouldn’t be surprising in Williams first healthy season in Phoenix he would become an All-Star.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports