In a jaw-dropping one-two punch, the Phoenix Suns ripped the rug out from under their own “Big Three” regime, first sending Kevin Durant to Houston for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 overall pick, used to select Duke big man Khaman Maluach, then turning around and snagging Charlotte’s heavily scouted center Mark Williams in a separate deal.
Mark Williams, who delivered a career-high 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks over 44 games this past season, came at the price of Vasilije Micic, the No. 29 pick, plus a 2029 first-rounder. The back-to-back moves have left fans and analysts stunned, and while the Rockets were widely hailed as the winners in the Durant deal, the Suns continue making moves that nobody would have expected.
The Suns certainly have their starting center for the future, but was it worth the two picks they gave up, considering their stash is almost depleted? Who truly came out on top? We have a grade for every party involved.
Phoenix Suns: C+
The Suns now boast a promising one-two punch in the frontcourt with rookie Khaman Maluach (No. 10 pick) and veteran Mark Williams, both big men with upside. Williams posted a solid 2024‑25 stat line of 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game on 60.4 percent shooting, while Maluach brings elite rim presence and defensive feel straight out of the draft.
After cashing in on Deandre Ayton and Jusuf Nurkic in recent seasons, Phoenix has reset the middle, clearly betting on internal development over splashy moves. That said, the cost is steep: they surrendered both the No. 29 pick and a 2029 first-rounder to land Williams, adding to a fragile stash.
Their first-round capital is nearly wiped out through 2029, and payroll is pushing the luxury tax hard. In a cap-strapped regime, sacrificing future ammo for a mid-tier starter may be short-sighted, especially if Williams and Maluach fail to reach star ceilings or if injuries derail progress. A C+ grade reflects both the clever direction and the inherent risk.
Charlotte Hornets: C+
Charlotte walks away with two additional future first-rounders, one at No. 29 this year and an unprotected 2029 selection, for essentially a rotation center. They continue to stockpile the kind of draft capital that’s essential for talent acquisition or trade currency.
Given their ongoing multi-year rebuild, accumulating flexibility and optionality is a key organizational play, and this deal marries asset accrual with roster patience. However, the question remains: could the Charlotte Hornets have pushed harder for more immediate upside?
Williams already posted 15/10 in Charlotte; they gave up little proven production in return. These picks might land late in the lottery depending on Phoenix’s record, limiting their on-court impact. The C+ grade acknowledges a prudent, defensible move, but one that feels like the Hornets played it safe rather than optimized every leverage point.
Mark Williams: C
Williams’ stat profile speaks for itself: an efficient, physical big with 15.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and strong rim protection. Yet his individual outcome falls short of ideal. He infamously failed a Lakers physical last season, costing him a shot at a prime-time big market and potential title run.
Instead, he lands in Phoenix, a franchise in flux undergoing a rebuild, where both opportunity and chaos loom large. Now he must entrench himself as a starter, but competition and expectations await.
With Maluach looming, Williams must prove he’s the long-term anchor. On a $6.3 million deal, it’s a fair salary, but the move feels like a lateral step career-wise. The C grade reflects a realistic, unspectacular landing spot that may not elevate his profile or resume.
Devin Booker: B-
Devin Booker now has quality help behind him, at least in theory. After years of shouldering too much rebuilding burden, the twin frontcourt options of Williams and Maluach provide some much-needed rebounding and rim protection support.
Both are young, motivated, and possess upside, giving Booker roster stability and fit flexibility as he leads the offense. But neither player is a game-changer just yet. The departure of seasoned bigs like Ayton and Nurkic removes veteran size and defensive firmament.
If Williams and Maluach struggle to grow, Booker remains vulnerable to frontcourt mismatches. Still, this is a step in the right direction: an imperfect, but thoughtful boost to his situation. A B-grade recognizes tangible, moderate gains without dramatic impact.
