What happened: Williams tore his labrum and will miss an extended period, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. [Surgery coverage](https://wsau.com/2026/09/11/report-suns-c-mark-williams-has-shoulder-surgery/)
Why it matters: The absence creates an opening for Maluach, a 2025 lottery pick, ahead of the 2026-27 season. Oso Ighodaro offers another option: Phoenix outscored opponents by 5.1 points per 100 possessions with him at center last season, according to Cleaning the Glass figures cited by Marks.
By the numbers: Maluach averaged 12.8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in Summer League.
What to watch: Watch how Phoenix divides center minutes between Maluach and Ighodaro during preseason.