Mark Williams Fantasy Outlook: Should You Draft the Phoenix Suns Center This Year?

Mark Williams is highlighted as one of fantasy basketball's biggest injury risks for the 2025-26 NBA season, having played in only 106 out of 246 possible games over his first three years due to persistent health issues. Last season, he was limited to 44 appearances because of foot, knee, and back ailments, raising concerns given his 7-foot-1 frame and history of durability problems.

Despite showing potential as a nightly double-double threat with solid shot-blocking abilities during his time with the Hornets, his availability has been a major issue. This was emphasized when the Lakers withdrew from a trade deal in 2025 due to worries about the severity of his health problems, further underscoring the risks associated with drafting him.

Now with the Phoenix Suns, Williams has been held out of preseason activities with an undisclosed injury, and the team is proceeding cautiously to have him ready for the regular season. If healthy, he has the opportunity to replicate his career-best performance from last season, which included averages of 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, while playing alongside key teammates like Devin Booker.

Projections for Williams in the upcoming season estimate 2,122.5 total fantasy points, with per-game averages of 13.0 points, 5.2 field goals, 0.0 three-pointers, 2.5 free throws, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks. These metrics position him as a sixth to eighth-round talent in fantasy drafts, but his injury history may lead many managers to avoid selecting him.

In terms of rankings, Williams is placed 82nd overall and 17th among centers. The players ranked ahead of him overall include Anfernee Simons, Bennedict Mathurin, Donovan Clingan, Immanuel Quickley, and Tyler Herro, while those behind him include Jrue Holiday, Stephon Castle, Nicolas Claxton, Bilal Coulibaly, and D’Angelo Russell. At his position, centers ranked ahead of him are Kristaps Porzingis, Deandre Ayton, Myles Turner, Onyeka Okongwu, and Donovan Clingan, with Nicolas Claxton, Naz Reid, Kel’el Ware, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Zach Edey ranked behind him.