The Los Angeles Lakers remade their roster around Luka Doncic this summer, and nobody expected Ziaire Williams to be their fourth most important player. Austin Reaves signed a $184.7 million contract to be Luka’s co-star. The Lakers signed-and-traded for Walker Kessler to be their starting center and number three. Quentin Grimes got a four-year, $60 million contract and Sandro Mamukelashvili landed a four-year, $52 million pact. Those two were expected to be the next pieces, but Williams has been the perfect fit.
The 6’9 wing can defend at the point of attack and knock down open 3-pointers. The surprise has been Williams making smart cuts, guarding multiple positions, and just making winning plays. The Lakers are 9-2, and Williams is the fourth-leading scorer. The Lakers have won his 193 minutes by 48 points.
Luka has a long history of maximizing athletic wings with size. Williams’ slight frame put that theory to the test, but the early returns are better than anyone expected. Whether starting or coming off the bench, Williams has been the ideal 3-and-D wing. Even a foot injury did little to faze him.
Lakers need 3-and-D wings flanking Luka Doncic
The Lakers are an unexpected 9-2 to start this season, despite having nine new players on their roster. Their success can be tied to maximizing Luka. They added more athleticism and youth. Those were key areas the Lakers lacked last season.
Williams averages 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in 24.1 minutes per game. He has appeared in eight of the 11 contests. The 25-year-old sat out three games with a foot injury, including one of the two losses. Williams is shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 45.9 percent on his 3-point attempts to start this season.
Ziaire has also been the Lakers' best point-of-attack defender. He started the first four games before a foot injury knocked him out of the opening group. The Lakers have been watching his minutes closely since his return. There is no formal minutes restriction, but LA wants to be careful with the valuable wing.
Williams finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and one block in 21 minutes against the Detroit Pistons without Luka Doncic on Sunday evening. Austin Reaves led the way with 43 points, but Ziaire and Collin Sexton tied for second highest scorers. The Lakers needed someone to step up, and Williams delivered.
Ziaire Williams should play a larger role
Head coach JJ Redick had it right to start this season. Williams should start over Jake LaRavia. He is a better shooter, defender, and scorer. The 25-year-old has zero issues guarding at the point of attack and sitting beyond the 3-point line, hoping to be fed for an easy bucket.
Williams should be starting and playing 30-ish minutes per game. Luka has a history of getting the most of forwards with versatility like PJ Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dorian Finney-Smith. Williams looks to be the next name on that list. He won’t shoot this well all season, but his impact goes well beyond the stats.
Coach Redick has leaned into starting LaRavia, but his energy and ability to guard bigger players works better in the second unit. JJ has no issues staggering, but Williams is the better option with the starting five.
Lakers can’t let this bargain signing get away
Ziaire is making just $2.8 million this season, and his cap hold only counts at $2.4 million. Only Bronny James and Adou Thiero are making less. Williams wanted to join the Lakers. It was a shot to return home, and he was excited to play with Luka.
The 6’9 forward made the playoffs in each of his first two NBA seasons before missing out three straight years. This was Williams’ shot to prove he impacts winning, is a plus shooter when given space, and can be the 3-and-D wing every contender covets. So far, so good. Williams is a strong cutter and is showcasing his basketball IQ on top of it all.
Ziaire has quickly become their fourth most important player over Grimes, Mamu, Sexton, and LaRavia. This team is still figuring things out, but none of those players offer the defense, floor spacing, and two-way impact of Williams.
The Los Angeles Lakers got an absolute bargain in Ziaire Williams. He was just tied with Collin Sexton as the second-leading scorer in an upset win over the franchise with the best regular season record in the East last season. The Lakers got an upset win without Luka. Austin Reaves played like a superstar, and Williams provided a massive boost on both ends. He is clearly the fourth most important Laker behind Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler.
Add us as a preferred source on Google