Ziaire Williams has come a long way from being an ambitious developmental project that the Memphis Grizzlies took on with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Los Angeles Lakers could be the team that finally helps him reach his full potential, and that success will ultimately be owed to Luka Doncic.
The 3-and-D wing archetype is what Williams is working toward to create a long-term spot in the NBA. The good news? The former Brooklyn Nets wing shot a career-high 34.3 percent from deep last season. The bad news? That was still notably below the league average of 36.0 percent in 2025-26.
Despite the overall shortcomings on the 3-ball, there is one area from beyond the arc where Williams did thrive. The former Nets forward had a strong success rate on his wide open shots from distance, nailing an impressive 43.8 percent on his 1.6 attempts per game in 2025-26.
Sometimes, a great fit can elevate you beyond your station. Williams is about to be partnered up with one of the league's very best offensive engines in Doncic. Few players are as elite at creating those wide open looks for their teammates. Ziaire should be licking his chops.
Luka Doncic's playmaking will make Ziaire Williams' offense easier than ever
BBall Index graded Doncic as the number one player in the league when it comes to offensive impact on shot quality. Luka has four of the top five playmaking talent seasons in that same database, spanning back to 2014.
The short version: Doncic is a magician with the basketball.
Numbers aside, it is easy to see just how much easier Doncic makes the lives of his teammates by just throwing on the tape. Even recently-arrived Walker Kessler was already pointing that out, and he has only gotten to watch Luka play from a distance.
Opposing defenses are often forced to blitz Doncic to get the ball out of his hands, fearing the Lakers superstar will torch their offense with his scoring otherwise. In those moments, Luka looks like a kid at the candy store, knowing he has an open teammate who gets a great look off his passing.
Doncic is also incredible at collapsing defenses by attacking the interior. That creates warmup shots for the floor spacers waiting on the perimeter.
Williams will get to benefit from all of that, and more, in 2026-27 when sharing the court with Luka. The opportunity for playing time should be there. As should the chance for a career year from the 24-year-old forward.
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