The Big Question: Can the Suns Survive Without Mark Williams…

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Monday, September 28

Mark Williams' return is pegged for February 3, cutting him out of more than four months of a season that hasn't even started. That leaves Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro to cover the middle on a payroll already above the first apron.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

The Long Wait. Mark Williams has been sidelined since September 11 with a left shoulder injury — his arm is also listed — and a reported surgery followed. His estimated return is February 3, 2027, more than four months into a season that hasn't tipped off.

A Second Body, A New Worry. Duop Reath signed with Phoenix and officially joined the roster on September 25. Almost immediately he was listed day-to-day with an injury to his right foot, leg also noted, estimated to return October 1 — before the opener, but a scare nonetheless.

Who's Actually Available. That leaves rookie Khaman Maluach and second-year Oso Ighodaro as the healthy centers once camp opens. Ighodaro's minutes climbed 12 a night over his last three games of last season whenever a teammate sat, with his scoring rising well past his season averages in that stretch.

Media Day Buzz. Valley of the Suns called Maluach arguably the biggest winner of Suns media day, and the same outlet floated a two-way contract as a fix for the Reath situation. Neither report moves Williams' timeline.

What Williams Cost. Last season Williams played 60 games at 23.6 minutes, averaging 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds for a team that finished 45-37 with a net rating of 1.4. Replacing that production without him is the real test.

No Help For Sale. Phoenix carries $216.2 million in payroll, already above the first apron, with the luxury tax line at $200.4 million. Apron rules make outside additions difficult, so any fix for the middle has to come from players already on the roster.

The Answer. Phoenix can likely cover the gap early — Maluach's rookie buzz and Ighodaro's track record in bigger minutes both point that way. But losing Williams' rebounding and scoring for four-plus months, with no apron room to import a replacement, is a cost the Suns will carry all season.

On deck Preseason opens October 5 at the Pistons, with games at the Bulls October 7, home against the Spurs October 10, and at the Spurs October 14, before the regular-season opener October 21 at the Trail Blazers.

When will Mark Williams return for the Suns?

His estimated return is February 3, 2027. He has been out since September 11 with a left shoulder injury, and a reported surgery followed.

Is Duop Reath injured for the Suns?

Yes. He was listed day-to-day with an injury to his right foot, leg also noted, right around the time he officially joined the roster on September 25, with an estimated return of October 1.