PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns are finalizing a deal to bring back center Mark Williams on a $38 million, three-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal — first reported by ESPN — has not been announced.
The 24-year-old Williams was a restricted free agent after scoring 11.7 points and grabbing eight rebounds per game last season. The 7-foot-1 big man played his first three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets before he was traded to the Suns in a draft day deal in 2025.
Williams — who was the No. 15 pick in the 2022 draft — has battled injuries throughout his career, but played in a career-high 60 games last season, including 55 starts.
He shot 64% from the field and averaged nearly a block per game.
The Suns have been busy over the past few days, re-signing several key pieces from last season. Collin Gillespie agreed to a $48 million, four-year deal last week while Jordan Goodwin agreed to a contract worth $19 million over three years.
During the draft earlier this week, the Suns moved up to grab Arizona native Koa Peat with the No. 30 selection.
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FILE - Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams slaps hands with teammates during player introductions prior to an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, April 14, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Australia and Paraguay played to a 0-0 draw Thursday night in a result that clinched a spot in the knockout round of the World Cup for the Socceroos and will likely be enough for the Paraguayans to advance.
The expanded tournament to 48 teams that provides a spot in the knockout round for eight of the 12 third-place teams in the group stage led to the cautious approach for both teams in their final Group D match after they each entered with three points thanks to wins over Turkey.
The winner of this game was assured second place behind the United States in the group with Australia also clinching that spot with a draw thanks to a better goal differential than Paraguay. But the draw that gave Paraguay four points in the group also was likely to be enough barring a string of bad results in the final two days of group play.
This marks the third time that Australia has advanced to the knockout round after losing in the round of 16 in 2006 and 2022. The Socceroos will play in the round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington, Texas, against the second-place finisher from Group G that will be determined Friday night.
Paraguay must wait to learn its fate, but is in good position to advance to the knockout round for the fifth time.
The Socceroos had the best chances in the first half, but Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill stopped an early attempt from Jackson Irvine and then made another save in stoppage time against Cristian Volpato.
The cautious play continued in the second half when Paraguay did have more possession than in the opening 45 minutes but neither team came close to scoring. Jordan Bos had the best chance for Australia in the 90th minute, but his shot went wide from the right side of the box.
Patrick Beach then made a save for Australia on a low shot by Mauricio that lacked power in stoppage time.
Australia coach Tony Popovic made six changes to his lineup for the game, including giving 18-year-old Lucas Herrington his first World Cup appearance. Herrington, who plays for the Colorado Rapids in the MLS, became the youngest Aussie to appear in a World Cup game.
Paraguay midfielder Diego Gomez got his second yellow card of group play and will miss the round of 32 if the team advances.
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
Australia's Harry Souttar (19) battles for the ball with Paraguay's Gabriel Avalos (21) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill (12) catches the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay's Omar Alderete (3) kicks the ball over Australia's Nestory Irankunda (17) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay's Julio Enciso (19) reacts after being tackled by Australia's Jackson Irvine (22) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) battles for the ball with Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
