The Los Angeles Lakers signed Jarred Vanderbilt to a four-year, $48 million contract extension after just 26 regular season games. They did so for a reason. On paper, Vanderbilt was everything they needed. A 6'8" defensive ace who was a jumper away from elite 3-and-D status, Vanderbilt looked the part of the final piece of the puzzle for a team that had just reached the Conference Finals.
Unfortunately, three years later, Vanderbilt's jumper still hasn't arrived—and his minutes have thus been limited. Thankfully, Ziaire Williams has a chance to be what they thought Vanderbilt would become.
Los Angeles signed Williams to a one-year, minimum contract that will act as something of a prove-it opportunity for a long-term deal in 2027. Soon to turn 25, he'll have every opportunity to take what he's already startred to build and turn it into something sustainable.
That process may very well start with Williams proving he can be the fifth starter the Lakers need to round out a lineup that has the center and perimeter positions sorted, but question marks at the 4.
To succeed in doing so, Williams can start with focusing on the similarities between himself and Vanderbilt. For instance, while Vanderbilt is a versatile defender at 6'8", Williams can claim the same at 6'9". Vanderbilt has thus far been closer to lockdown status, but Williams flirted with elite on-ball proficiency in 2025-26.
The key advantage that WIlliams may have over Vanderbilt in not only securing playing time in 2026-27, but checking long-term boxes is that he's also on the cusp of efficiency as a shooter.
Ziaire Williams is the tall, lengthy defender Lakers need
Williams finished the 2025-26 season ranked in the 87th percentile in perimeter isolation defense, per Basketball Index. He also ranked in the 97th percentile in passing lane defense and the 64th percentile in off-ball chaser defense.
The hurdle that Williams must overcome on defense is that opponents tend to drive into his 185-pound frame and finish through contract, as evidenced by the fact that he ranked in the 24th percentile in rim protection and the ninth percentile in rim deterrence.
The good news is that Williams claims to be around 215 pounds entering the 2026-27 season. If that proves to be the case, then his defensive efficacy should improve and his 6'9" height and 6'10.5" wingspan should be all the more valuable on defense.
The question is: How real is his jump shot and how much closer to the ideal range can he get it?
Ziaire Williams' jumper is almost a strength
Williams is a career 32.2 percent three-point shooter, but he shot 34.1 percent on 4.8 attempts per game in 2024-25 and 34.3 percent on 4.5 attempts per contest in 2025-26. Though that isn't the ideal number, it puts him far closer than Vanderbilt, who has only once shot better than 30.0 percent.
Considering Williams ranked in the 49th percentile in three-point shot quality in 2025-26 and is now going to be playing alongside generational passer Luka Doncic, he should be able to improve his efficiency even further.
It's also worth noting that Williams is capable of creating offense in a pinch. It's not yet a skill that the Lakers should make a key part of their system, but he averaged 16.1 points per 36 minutes in 2025-26 and ranked in the 65th percentile in one on one shot making efficiency.
If Williams can continue to defend the perimeter at a high level, improve his strength and deterrence closer to the rim, and shoot with reasonable efficiency, he can be what Vanderbilt was supposed to be—and perhaps even more.
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