PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns have one of the youngest and deepest center depths in the NBA, which begs the ultimate question: How is that rotation going to work out?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Coach Jordan Ott was posed the question after Saturday’s practice, and he admitted that, “It is going to be a little fluid.”
“We’re all new to all this,” Ott continued. “Obviously, the work and production matters most. And there’s been some of that that we’ve seen in our building for the last how-many-ever months.”
Between young, but grizzled, vets like Mark Williams and Nick Richards, poised youngsters like Oso Ighodaro and rookie Khaman Maluach, the position comes with a lot of variance.
Oct 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) against the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Williams is a long, commanding lob threat and defensive presence. Richards is a bruiser in the paint and as a screener. Ighodaro provides Phoenix with offensive versatility as a playmaker and an athletic roller. Maluach, although green, is capable of spacing the floor as a perimeter shooter.
How Ott views Suns’ center rotation
Ott made his case for each of the guys.
“Mark’s done it,” Ott said. “Mark has done it at a high level. Nick has done it. Oso spent one year in the league, and ‘Man-Man’ (Maluach), we’re trying to figure out. This is his first season. We saw it in the preseason as well as the summer league; there’s highs and lows. That’s what young guys do.
“On a night-to-night basis, we’ll have a plan going into it, but we have to be a little fluid as coaches and kind of read the game. See exactly who’s impacting winning out there on the court on a night-to-night basis. We’ll have a plan going into each game, but know we’ll have to be flexible.”
Mar 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (4) against the Sacramento Kings at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Despite not participating in Phoenix’s four preseason games, Williams isn’t currently dealing with an injury and Ott expects the 23-year-old to be good to go on opening night against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
Williams recently participated in a live scrimmage during practice this week, further pushing his ramp-up process
“This was the most minutes he’s seen in a scrimmage that we’ve played,” Ott said after Saturday’s practice. “Mark is big. You can see his size out there, both ends. Offensively, puts pressure on the rim. Defensively, when someone is driving in there, you have to make the decision. re you really going to try to threaten the rim, or are you going to have to kick out? He’s in a good spot.”
Williams in Suns Opening Night
Apr 6, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) reacts to an official’s call during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images
Phoenix acquired Williams in a trade from Charlotte, and he fits into the Suns’ current retool (rather than rebuild, as Mat Ishbia quipped) of young projects surrounded by Devin Booker.
Williams, along with newly acquired star guard Jalen Green, have a lot to prove this season. Reports suggest the Suns are refraining from giving Williams his rookie extension to see how a full season plays out. In three seasons, he’ splayed 43, 19 and 44 total games in the regular season.
Should he suit up on opening night, Williams has an opportunity to start his Phoenix tenure with a bang. Kings star center Domantas Sabonis will be out with a hamstring strain.
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