Big Sauce stays in the valley with 3-year deal!

As many of us expected, the Phoenix Suns and center Alan Williams agreed to a new contract that will keep “Big Sauce” in a Suns uniform during the early years of #TheTimeline.

As Shams Charania reports, Williams, 24 years old, agreed a three year, $17 million contract on Sunday night.

The three-year deal is great and entirely reasonable, probably making Sauce one of the better values in the entire league. It’s yet unknown what this means to fellow centers Alex Len, also restricted and awaiting offers, or Tyson Chandler, already contracted for two more seasons.

Twitter exploded with tons of love and appreciation for the team’s biggest cheerleader, a native of Phoenix who grew up here and who’s mom is Chief of Police. It’s amazing that in the span of two years, Sauce can go from failing a tryout with the Suns for being too out of shape to now earning more than $5 million per year.

After leading the NCAA in rebounding Williams went undrafted in 2015, the same year Devin Booker went #13 overall. After an impressive college career, Williams led the Las Vegas Summer League with 11.8 rebounds per game, but still couldn’t latch onto a team.

He played in China instead, but then returned home to the Valley after their season ended and tried out for the Suns. Coach Earl Watson still remembers halting the workout after ten minutes because Williams was too winded. They asked him to get in shape and come back. He did. And he won a roster spot.

Ever since, Sauce has been the greatest cheerleader for the team and the fans.

We recently ran a film study (thanks Yusuf @SunsFilm) on Williams’ great ability to run a pick and roll by making himself available for the pass and being creative on the finish once he gets the ball. Here’s one example.

For a lot more examples, click through:

WELCOME BACK, BIG SAUCE!