2025 NBA Draft Trade Tracker: Suns Land Mark Williams in High-Impact Deal as Draft Night Frenzy Unfolds…see more…
The 2025 NBA Draft brought no shortage of fireworks, and among the most notable transactions was the Phoenix Suns’ aggressive move to acquire 7-foot defensive anchor Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. The deal headlined a flurry of draft-night activity that saw teams reshuffle their priorities, retool rosters, and exchange picks in a high-stakes game of talent roulette.
🔄 Suns Acquire Mark Williams from Hornets
The Suns, looking to address their glaring need at the center position, struck a deal to acquire Mark Williams, the Hornets’ standout rim protector, in exchange for the No. 29 overall pick in this year’s draft and a protected 2029 first-round pick.
Williams, originally drafted 15th overall in 2022 out of Duke, had shown promise with Charlotte thanks to his interior defense and rebounding ability. Averaging 8.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in limited minutes last season, the 22-year-old is expected to play a significant role in Phoenix’s rotation, especially with uncertainty around their frontcourt depth.
The move signals that Phoenix remains in “win-now” mode, attempting to capitalize on the remaining prime years of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, and a newly re-signed Bradley Beal. For Charlotte, the deal provides flexibility, added draft capital, and the ability to continue their youth-focused rebuild around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
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🧩 Full Tracker: Notable 2025 NBA Draft Day Trades
Here’s a breakdown of the most notable deals made during the 2025 NBA Draft:
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✅ 1. Grizzlies Go All-In for Cedric Coward
Memphis Grizzlies receive: No. 9 pick Cedric Coward (from Magic)
Orlando Magic receive: No. 15 pick, No. 42 pick, 2026 second-rounder, 2027 top-10 protected first-rounder
The Grizzlies stunned many by trading four draft assets to move up and grab Cedric Coward, a 6’6” high-flying wing from Oregon, known for his lockdown perimeter defense and highlight-reel dunks. It’s a clear signal that Memphis views Coward as a potential two-way star to slot alongside Ja Morant.
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✅ 2. Thunder Flip Picks for More Immediate Help
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Forward Deni Avdija (from Wizards)
Washington Wizards receive: No. 21 pick, 2026 second-rounder
The Thunder, who have been stockpiling picks for years, began cashing them in. They shipped their No. 21 pick and a future second to Washington for Deni Avdija, a versatile forward who adds immediate defense, ball-handling, and transition play to their young core.
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✅ 3. Knicks Add Frontcourt Firepower
New York Knicks receive: No. 19 pick Mitchell Dodson (via Heat)
Miami Heat receive: No. 24 pick and 2027 second-rounder
The Knicks targeted Mitchell Dodson, a 6’11” stretch big from Baylor, praised for his three-point shot and rim protection. Trading up to grab him suggests New York sees him as a long-term contributor behind Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein.
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✅ 4. Warriors Move Down, Stockpile Future Assets
Golden State Warriors receive: 2026 first-round pick, 2027 second-rounder (from Pelicans)
New Orleans Pelicans receive: No. 17 pick (used to select Elijah Strong)
Golden State opted for a long-view strategy by trading down and picking up future picks. The Pelicans used the No. 17 selection to take Elijah Strong, a high-upside combo guard with a smooth shooting stroke and elite feel for the game.
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🔁 Recap: Key Takeaways
Suns prioritize interior defense, betting big on Mark Williams to anchor their center position.
Grizzlies’ bold move for Coward reflects belief in his star potential.
Thunder continue their strategic pivot from long-term planning to contending.
Knicks get their man with an ideal modern big in Dodson.
Warriors show patience, accumulating draft equity as they await their next run.
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🗣️ What They’re Saying
Phoenix GM James Jones spoke after the Williams acquisition:
> “Mark gives us the interior presence we’ve been missing. His defensive instincts and ability to guard the rim are elite. He’ll have an immediate impact on our playoff aspirations.”
Meanwhile, Hornets GM Jeff Peterson defended the move:
> “This deal gives us greater long-term flexibility. We have a vision centered around pace, spacing, and youth. The additional pick allows us to continue building around that.”
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📊 Winners & Losers of the 2025 Draft Trade Frenzy
🏆 Winners
Phoenix Suns: Shoring up the paint for a playoff run was priority No. 1. Mission accomplished.
Memphis Grizzlies: Got their guy. Coward could become a two-way force in the West.
New York Knicks: Proactive, targeted, and efficient in the mid-first round.
Charlotte Hornets: Leveraged Williams into draft flexibility—smart asset management.
❌ Losers
Orlando Magic: Parting with a top-10 pick in a loaded class may haunt them.
Washington Wizards: While Avdija’s departure frees minutes, the return was light.
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🏀 What’s Next?
Now that the draft has concluded, the NBA offseason is expected to ramp up. Eyes will be on:
Free agency, set to begin July 1.
Trade rumors, with stars like Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns still possibly on the move.
Summer League, where rookies like Coward, Dodson, and Strong will debut.
And as for the Suns, they’ll hope that Mark Williams becomes more than just a shot-blocker—he could be the missing piece in their quest for Western Conference supremacy.
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