Are the Los Angeles Lakers done adding to their roster?
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to make roster moves as they search for the best fits around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Their latest move is signing Ziaire Williams to a one-year, $3 million deal, adding wing depth to the rotation.
Williams spent last season on the Brooklyn Nets, playing 56 games and averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. He shot 42% from the field and 34% from three, but is a strong on-ball and defensive playmaker.
Williams joins Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Kevon Looney, and Jaden Hardy as the newest members of the Lakers, who have completely revamped their roster this offseason.
More Additions Coming?
According to Ben Golliver of ESPN, the Lakers are still in strong pursuit of unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and could clear room to add him via sign-and-trade or by waiving another player.
The Lakers have been heavily linked to Kuminga in recent weeks, with a sign-and-trade with the Hawks looking like a possibility. Reports indicate that the Lakers could trade Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2032 first-round pick.
The addition of Williams would seem to mitigate the need for Kuminga, as he is a rangy defender who is inconsistent on offense. The biggest difference is that Williams has proven to accept his role as a defender who will get limited opportunities on the offensive end, while Kuminga has shown that he wants a bigger role on offense.
Kuminga also reportedly wants around $10 million a season, which indicates that he is expecting a bigger role on the team.
What Can Ziaire Williams Add?
It's unfair to judge Williams' advanced numbers based on last season with the Brooklyn Nets because the Nets were one of the worst teams in the league.
At just one season for $3 million, this is a low-risk move for the Lakers that improves their depth. He immediately becomes a defensive option off the bench who can play off the ball next to Luka or Reaves.
He's not a great outside shooter, but he can attack off the dribble and get to the rim. He did shoot 43% on wide-open threes last season, and he'll get the best looks of his career with Luka on the floor.
Williams will also get the biggest opportunity of his career after spending the last two seasons in Brooklyn and barely playing for Memphis during their playoff years. The opportunity to prove himself on a team that hopes to compete for a championship can go a long way.
