The Brooklyn Nets’ offseason makeover has already brought in new faces, but it has also sent a couple of familiar ones out the door. One of the latest departures is forward Ziaire Williams, who reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Williams had become a free agent after Brooklyn declined his $6.25 million player option, a move that opened the door for him to leave after one season with the Nets. The Lakers offered him a return to his home state and, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans were also in the mix before Williams chose Los Angeles.
The fit in L.A. comes with a different kind of opportunity. LeBron James will not be on the roster, even though Williams is connected to Bronny James through their days as high school teammates, but the Lakers are still expected to be in position to chase a championship.
Williams, 24, finished the 2025-26 season averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 56 games. He shot 42.5% from the field and 34.3% from three, numbers that reflected a player continuing to round out his game. He has long been valued for his perimeter defense, and last season he showed signs of becoming more dangerous on offense as well.
For Brooklyn, Williams’ exit is part of a broader reshuffling. He and center Nic Claxton, who was traded to the Chicago Bulls, are the two rotation players from last season now set to be elsewhere. The Nets have re-signed center Day'Ron Sharpe and forward Josh Minott, while also adding Julius Randle, guard Keon Ellis and center Mo Wagner.
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