The Lakers are still shopping for wing help, and Ziaire Williams has emerged as a name to watch.
Los Angeles has already made some notable moves this offseason, and the recent signing of Kevon Looney helped solve one roster issue. But with the team still looking for more defensive versatility on the perimeter, Lakers insider Khobi Price reported that the front office has its sights set on the 6’9″ wing.
Price also pointed to the possibility that the Lakers could miss out on Jonathan Kuminga, and said:
“As of Wednesday, it wasn’t clear what other options the Lakers would have if they didn’t acquire Kuminga, or at least one that would fit into their vision, similar to how they’ve expressed to Kuminga. Or fulfill their combination of needs for size, athleticism, defense, and youth on the wings. Ziaire Williams, who’s coming off a career year with the Nets, is a player the Lakers eyed after the Nets declined Williams’ $6.3 million team option to make him an unrestricted free agent.”
Price mentioned other possible targets too, including Bruce Brown, Matisse Thybulle, and Ochai Agbaji. Kyle Kuzma’s name has also come up as a possible return to L.A. Still, there’s a case to be made that Williams might be the cleanest fit of that group.
Williams has already shown he can be a useful two-way piece. He broke in early with the Memphis Grizzlies as a promising wing defender and is now available on the open market after the Nets declined his $6.3 million team option. For a Lakers team trying to add size, athleticism, and defensive flexibility, that profile makes sense.
The bigger question is whether Los Angeles can make room for him and Kuminga. The Lakers remain interested in Kuminga, and that pursuit could limit what they’re able to spend elsewhere. Kuminga brings the kind of offensive upside that can change a roster if it all comes together, so the appeal is obvious.
But Williams offers a different kind of value.
Last season, he averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 42.5% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range. Those numbers came in a bench role for the Nets, and while the shooting efficiency leaves something to be desired, his defensive activity helps balance it out.
He’s 24, the same age as Kuminga, but the defensive profile is different. Kuminga may have the higher offensive ceiling, yet Williams is the more versatile defender right now.
At this point, Kuminga appears to be the Lakers’ top priority. If they can land him in a trade by moving the remaining $25.7 million owed to Jarred Vanderbilt, along with a handful of draft picks, that would be the move to make. But if the goal is to add defense without blowing up the budget, Williams could be the better answer.
The Lakers are carrying a $200 million payroll and sit about $9.0 million under the tax. Williams was set to make $6.3 million before his option was declined, and a two-year, $13 million deal could be enough to bring him in. Even then, Los Angeles may have to go higher if other teams get involved and a bidding war breaks out for the 24-year-old forward.
In Other News...
Nets Head Into Vegas Still Waiting For Their Full Rookie Picture
Brooklyns Summer League group heads to Las Vegas with a little momentum and a little mystery. After going 2-1 in Sacramento, the Nets get their NBA 2K26 Summer League slate started against the Knicks, a familiar East Coast opponent that should give the team another useful measuring stick as it keeps sorting out its young roster and building chemistry.
The bigger storyline for Brooklyn is still the rookie picture, which has yet to come fully into focus. Danny Wolf missed all three California Classic games with lower back soreness but is nearing a return, and Joshua Jefferson is also in line to potentially join the mix as the Nets open play in Vegas, giving the team a chance to see more of the pieces it hopes to develop over the next stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Suddenly Have A Different Kind Of Pressure Next Season
Brooklyns next season comes with a different kind of pressure, one that has less to do with the standings in the moment and more to do with how the organization wants to define itself. With the NBAs new lottery system in play, the Nets are staring at a decision point that could shape the way they handle the year from start to finish, especially if the roster spends much of the season on the fringe of the East race.
The real question is whether Brooklyn leans into a push for the play-in tournament or uses the year to prioritize development if the results start to slip. That kind of flexibility can change everything in the back half of the schedule, from how the team handles veterans dealing with nagging injuries to how many chances the younger players get against opponents still fighting for something meaningful. [Read more 🡒]