PHOENIX – After re-signing Collin Gillespie to a four-year, $48 million deal, the Phoenix Suns will shift their focus towards starting center Mark Williams. The franchise doesn’t have a lot of money to work with this offseason, as bringing back Gillespie and Williams seemed impossible. However, Phoenix was able to sign the 26-year-old guard to a $12 million annual, when experts believe Gillespie was looking for high-teens in a deal. The discount opens the door for a possible Williams return.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The problem remains is that the only avenue that the Suns would bring back the 24-year-old is on the qualifying offer. His injury history could scare teams from topping that deal, but it cuts the team close to crossing the luxury tax and near the first apron.
Jan 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) shoots the ball against Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Williams qualifying offer cuts Suns payroll close to Tax:
If best case scenario Gillespie has a yearly salary increase for his four-year deal, the 2026-2027 salary would be $10.7 million. Adding that money in, Phoenix would be at $192.78 million for 2026-2027, with the difference of the luxury tax being $8.22 million. If Williams signs to the qualifying offer, the franchise would be over the tax by around $1.5 million.
A small number that owner Mat Ishbia would likely eat. Regardless, the Suns would have just $6.2 million to fill the final three roster spots. One of those spots would be Jordan Goodwin, a player the franchise is desperate in bringing back. But, would Goodwin return on a minimum deal again?
Jan 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) smiles as he jokes around with teammates before playing against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Going over the first apron is a non-negotiable for Phoenix. The front office would limit trades, buyout players, sign-and-trades and many more fundamental team building functions. The money would be tight, but if general manager Brian Gregory has Goodwin return on a minimum deal, then the final two roster spots could be the 47th pick in the NBA Draft and a veteran minimum guy to just slightly finish under the first apron.
Jan 25, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams against the Miami Heat in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Whether Williams is worth the trouble is another question. The roster already has Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro, so the fourth-year center isn’t a necessity. There appears to be interest within the organization to bring him back, as he is likely the most valuable free agent the team can target at his value. The coming days towards the draft will tell a lot of the direction Gregory, Ishbia and the franchise will go during the offseason.
If Phoenix drafts a third-string center in the second round, expect the team to be moving on from Williams.
Suns re-sign Collin Gillespie to four-year, $48 million deal
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
