The Los Angeles Lakers announced they have signed forward Ziaire Williams to a reported one-year, $3 million contract. Williams spent the last two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets after originally being selected 10th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and playing his first three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Williams has made a bit of a leap over the last two seasons since joining the Nets, averaging 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 119 games, 58 of those being starts.
Listed at 6’9″, Williams is exactly the kind of athletic, defensive-minded wing this roster was in dire need of. Williams is a player who doesn’t need the ball to be effective, thriving as a cutter and finisher at the rim while also being capable of guarding the opposition’s best wing player and creating turnovers.
Williams’ offensive game still needs some work as he shot just 42.5% from the field and 34.3% from 3-point range, but the looks that will be created for him by playing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves should make his life on that end so much easier. And that will allow him to place his focus on the defensive end where the Lakers need him most.
This offseason has been one of massive change for the Lakers with a number of players from last year’s team gone and replaced by new pieces. Last season’s team lacked athleticism on the perimeter, but with the addition of Williams and first-round draft pick Cameron Carr, as well as the development of Adou Thiero, the Lakers now have some pieces who can keep up with the top athletes in the league.
This is also a return home for Williams, who was born in Lancaster and played high school ball at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth where he was a teammate of Bronny James. Now, the two are reunited with the Lakers and will look to help push this team to the next level.
Williams will wear No. 11 with the Purple and Gold.
Lakers still ‘strongly’ pursuing forward Jonathan Kuminga
The Lakers have been linked with forward Jonathan Kuminga for much of the offseason and some may have wondered whether the signing of Williams means they could fall back in their pursuit, but that does not seem to be the case.
Thw front office is reportedly still strongly pursuing Kuminga with eyes on him being a starting forward on this team as Williams isn’t quite as established. The Lakers have been engaged with the Atlanta Hawks on a potential sign-and-trade, but no deal has been reached just yet.
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