What Led Lakers to Signing Former Top-10 Pick Ziaire Williams

The Los Angeles Lakers are adding another young wing to their roster after officially signing Ziaire Williams to a one-year, $4 million contract. For a team focused on building around Luka Dončić while improving its depth on the perimeter, the move checks several boxes.

Williams enters his sixth NBA season with plenty left to prove.

Selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9 forward arrived in the league with high expectations after starring at Sierra Canyon—playing alongside Bronny James—in Southern California before spending one season at Stanford.

While he has yet to develop into the player many envisioned fully, the Lakers are betting that his combination of size, athleticism and defensive versatility can thrive in the right situation.

Returning to SoCal gives Williams a chance to reset his career in familiar surroundings.

After spending his first three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and the last two with the Brooklyn Nets, the 24-year-old now joins a Lakers team looking to strengthen its wing rotation. 

Williams is coming off the most productive stretch of his career.

During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 56 games.

His offensive numbers may not jump off the page, but his ability to guard multiple positions, stretch the floor and even catch lobs when needed gives L.A. another versatile option on the wing.

The signing also reflects the Lakers' willingness to invest in upside without taking on significant financial risk. A one-year deal gives Williams an opportunity to earn a larger role while providing the organization flexibility heading into next summer.

Despite averaging 8.7 points and 3.0 rebounds over 269 career games, Williams has shown flashes of becoming a dependable two-way contributor. Injuries and inconsistent roles have prevented him from finding sustained momentum, but he has improved as a perimeter shooter over the past two seasons, connecting on more than 34% of his 3-point attempts in Brooklyn.

Competition for minutes won't be easy, but Williams doesn't need to become a star to make this signing worthwhile. If he can provide reliable perimeter defense, knock down open 3-pointers and play with consistent energy, he'll fill an important role on a roster that has prioritized length and versatility.

For the Lakers, it's a calculated gamble on a former lottery pick whose best basketball could still be ahead of him. If Williams capitalizes on the opportunity, L.A. may have quietly landed one of the offseason's better value signings.