Suns just handed Mark Williams pivotal leverage on a silver platter

Phoenix Suns, Mark Williams | David Jensen/GettyImagesThe Phoenix Suns gave Mark Williams significant leverage in his rookie extension talks by trading two first-round draft picks to get him on draft night. It wasn’t like this was a salary dump. The Suns have limited tradeable assets and spent the majority on this upgrade. They needed more rim protection, but this move will only get more expensive.

The market for a starting center was clearly defined this offseason. Myles Turner got a four-year deal worth $108.8 million to join the Bucks, and the Raptors extended Jakob Poeltl on a four-year $104 million contract. Both are better players than Williams, but $25 million a year is the price for…