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The Los Angeles Lakers spent years searching for a long-term answer at center, particularly after the departure of Anthony Davis left the roster without a proven interior anchor. The team explored multiple options in the trade market before finally making a major investment in a defensive-minded big man this summer.
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Mark Williams became one of the most notable centers linked to Los Angeles as the team hoped for a lob threat to play alongside Luka Doncic and now-former forward LeBron James. The Lakers agreed to acquire Williams from the Charlotte Hornets at the 2025 trade deadline, sending Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a future first-round pick and a pick swap to Charlotte in the proposed deal. However, the trade was rescinded two days later after Williams failed his physical with Los Angeles.
Two years later, Williams is now facing another major setback.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that the Phoenix Suns center underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss an extended period. Williams suffered the injury during an offseason workout.
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. Williams suffered the injury in an offseason workout. pic.twitter.com/iXVlVVItv4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 11, 2026
The injury comes only months after Williams completed his first season with Phoenix. The Suns acquired him from Charlotte in June 2025, sending Vasilije Micić, the No. 29 pick in that year’s draft and a 2029 first-round pick to the Hornets. Williams became Phoenix’s starting center and averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds while appearing in a career-high 60 games.
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Phoenix was encouraged enough by Williams’ first season to bring him back this summer. The Suns re-signed the 24-year-old to a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million contract, keeping him under contract through the 2028-29 season.
Williams’ latest injury is particularly notable from the Lakers’ perspective because Los Angeles eventually solved the center problem it had been trying to address. Two seasons after the failed Williams trade, the Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade and agreed to a four-year, $130 million contract with the 7-footer.
Kessler gives Los Angeles the defensive presence it had been seeking, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in 2024-25.
The Lakers ultimately moved on from the Williams pursuit and found their center in Kessler. Williams, meanwhile, enters another recovery process before his third season with Phoenix, with the Suns now waiting to learn how long their starting center will be unavailable.
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This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 9:22 AM.