The Los Angeles Lakers have a glaring void in the starting lineup with no clear answer in sight. Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, Walker Kessler, and Austin Reaves seem safe as starters, but the need for a final piece of the puzzle may very well come down to inefficient shooters whose defense or defensive potential are their calling card. That's put Ziaire Williams squarely under the spotlight.
Though skill levels and defensive consistency are going to make or break the Lakers' season, Williams knows that his biggest hurdle will be something else entirely: Strength and its impact on his durability.
Williams has alluring potential as a 3-and-D wing, but he missed 26 games in 2025-26, 19 in 2024-25, 31 in 2023-24, 45 in 2022-23, and 20 in 2021-22. Though it's not necessarily a direct correlation, he has a unique body type at 6'9" with a 185-pound frame. Thankfully, he seems aware of how increasing his strength can improve his durability.
During a recent interview with Ryan Ward of Sports Illustrated, Williams spoke about the areas of his game in which he's hoping to improve—and pinpointed his strength and durability as his primary focus.
“Definitely first and foremost, getting stronger, making sure my body is right. I feel like availability is the best ability. Bulletproofing in my body, armoring up for the long season plus playoffs. Just keeping the game simple, being more efficient with my shooting, finishing at the rim, making closeout reads and simplifying the game."
For a player who has the size, length, athleticism, and skill to be a solid pro, Williams realizing that his 185-pound frame is preventing him from realizing his potential is a critical development.
Ziaire Williams has prioritized strength, durability during offseason
On paper, Williams has everything a modern forward needs. He stands at 6’9” with a near 6’11” wingspan, has a respectable jump shot, and possesses the athleticism to defend multiple positions, push the pace in transition, and sky above the rim.
Unfortunately, at 185 pounds, Williams is 31 pounds lighter than the average NBA player, per Basketball Reference. That's imposed inevitable limitations on his growth as a contributor.
For instance, Williams has the skill and finishing ability at the rim to attack off the bounce, but his lack of ideal strength has limited his efficacy. Smaller defenders can get physical with him and heavier players can throw their weight around to keep him out of the restricted area.
With Williams claiming to be in the range of 215 pounds approaching the 2026-27 season, however, he should be able to play his game with more confidence and efficiency.
There are, of course, skill-related improvements he must commit to. For instance, he’s shot at least 34.1 percent from beyond the arc in each of the past two seasons, but has never eclipsed 35.0—let alone approached the 2025-26 league average of 36.0.
If Williams is going to realize his potential in the Lakers’ rotation as a versatile 3-and-D forward, then he’ll need to evolve from borderline efficient to truly dependable.
Ziaire Williams is a realistic option for the final starting job
The good news is that Williams already seems to be aware of what is and isn’t working for him. The better news is that Williams should get better looks at the basket with a generational playmaker in Luka Doncic running the Lakers' offense. For what it's worth: In 2025-26, Williams ranked in the 49th percentile in three-point shot quality, per Basketball Index.
Improved shot quality may very well enable Williams to join the likes of Dorian Finney-Smith and Derrick Jones Jr. as players who took considerable steps forward playing with Doncic.
To follow in Finney-Smith and Jones’ footsteps, however, there are non-negotiables. For one, Williams must make defense his priority. The other is that he must remain steady with his shooting—or, ideally, improve.
If Williams can do so, then he'll have a strong shot at winning the Lakers' final starting job and thus earning Doncic's trust as a potential long-term teammate.
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