The Phoenix Suns probably saw their acquisition of Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets as a low-risk, high-reward move. What they may have failed to think through, though, is that Williams could soon become a financial headache for the organization.
Phoenix must have thought the assets it shipped in the Williams trade (the No. 29 pick in this year's draft, a 2029 draft selection that will presumably land late in the first round, and Vasilije Micic) were worth giving up for the big man. It likely did not foresee that the potential steal of the draft, Liam McNeeley, would still be available at the 29th slot, and that the Hornets would be shrewd enough to turn Micic into Pat Connaughton and two future second-rounders later in the summer.