Ziaire Williams’ youth, athleticism and two-way potential could make his low-cost Lakers contract one of the NBA offseason’s most underrated signings.
Ziaire Williams joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year contract after spending the past two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets.
The deal attracted far less attention than Los Angeles’ acquisitions of Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton. Still, Williams offers exactly the kind of upside the Lakers should be targeting around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
The 6-foot-9 forward is still only 24 years old and possesses a combination of length, athleticism and defensive versatility that was missing from parts of the Lakers’ rotation last season.
Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets forwardZiaireWilliams(1) runs on the court during the second half against the Los AngelesLakersat Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn ImagesWilliams Fits What Lakers Need
Williams does not need the ball to make an impact. He can run the floor, cut behind defenses and attack closeouts while Dončić and Reaves handle most of the playmaking responsibilities.
That makes him a natural fit alongside the Lakers’ stars. Los Angeles does not need another high-usage scorer as much as it needs athletic players capable of defending, finishing plays and knocking down open shots.
Williams averaged 10.1 points and 3.5 rebounds over two seasons in Brooklyn, shooting 42% from the field and 34% from 3-point range. Those numbers are not overwhelming, but they show that he can already contribute without having reached his ceiling.
His outside shooting will be the swing skill. If Williams becomes a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, opposing defenses will have a much harder time helping away from him when Dončić runs the pick-and-roll.
At minimal cost, the Lakers do not need Williams to become a star for the move to work. They only need him to establish himself as a dependable rotation player.
A Real Opportunity in Los Angeles
Williams could also have a larger role than initially expected.
The Lakers lack an established starting power forward, leaving Williams, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt as candidates to compete for minutes at the position. Williams believes he is capable of starting, although his lighter frame could make some matchups difficult against stronger forwards.
Even if he comes off the bench, his ability to play multiple wing positions should give head coach JJ Redick several lineup options.
There is no guarantee Williams puts everything together in Los Angeles. He has yet to become a consistent shooter or defender through the early stages of his career. However, the Lakers are betting on their coaching staff and infrastructure helping a former lottery pick take another step.
For a team attempting to become younger and more athletic without sacrificing financial flexibility, Williams represents the right kind of gamble. If he struggles, the Lakers made only a small investment.
If he breaks out, they may have found a long-term contributor hiding in one of the offseason’s most overlooked signings.
