Playing with Luka Doncic is a gift. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar generates an incredible amount of gravity from being the best scorer on the planet. As defenses blitz him, cheat over to his side, or otherwise, Doncic makes them pay by creating easy looks for his teammates with his sensational playmaking ability. Ziaire Williams already sounds understanding of what that can do for him.
The new Lakers forward spoke with Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register following his annual basketball clinic in Lancaster. In that exclusive interview, Williams proved just how aware he is of the massive opportunity in front of him.
"I’m really excited to play with him. And of course, when we’re playing basketball, it’s just he makes the game just so easy and looks so simple. He’s going to make my life a lot easier for sure."
Williams is showing up in Los Angeles on a one-year, prove-it deal. Succeeding with the Lakers in the upcoming campaign gives Ziaire a chance to secure a lucrative future in the NBA like many other previous teammates of Luka have done. This is a relationship that can benefit all parties involved.
Ziaire Williams can carve out a long-term future in the NBA thanks to Luka Doncic
Williams started off his NBA career as the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. It was a bit of a stunning pick on draft night. Many quickly proclaimed that selection to be a reach.
That sentiment wound up having truth to it. Williams never truly panned out as a lottery pick. The Memphis Grizzlies moved on from him after three years of seeing how the Ziaire project was going for them.
Two years with the Brooklyn Nets did regenerate interest about him as a player. Williams started flirting with pushing for one of the most valuable role player archetypes in the league — the 3-and-D wing. That is what the Lakers are hoping to get from him in 2026-27.
Williams has said all the right things about his coming Lakers opportunity. The California native understands the importance of prioritizing defense for Los Angeles in the 2026-27 campaign. Ziaire also wants to do all of the stuff that will generate easy scoring chances next to Luka — cut, shoot, and play in transition.
The job description is straightforward, and doing it well can set him up for a steady future in the NBA. Need proof? Ask Derrick Jones Jr. about the three-year, $30 million deal he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024 after his one-year stint with Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks.
Williams can follow that blueprint in Los Angeles. Doncic is at the center of it. As long as Ziaire can do his part, Luka can set him up like he did plenty of his former teammates.
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