Ziaire Williams has the opportunity to become a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. The 6-foot-9 forward, whom the team signed to a one-year, $2.45 million contract in July, is not a finished product yet, but if he continues to improve and refine different aspects of his game, he could perhaps earn more playing time than he has gotten thus far in his NBA career.
Last season, he averaged 10.2 points and 1.4 steals in 22.9 minutes a game with the Brooklyn Nets. At this point in his career, the 24-year-old is known as a capable defender who has ample athleticism.
Per Benjamin Royer of the Southern California News Group, Williams talked to coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka about his role. Redick and Pelinka laid out a specific
role for him on the defensive end.
“Williams said in his early conversations with Lakers coach JJ Redick and President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka, they have told him that their focus for him is “first and foremost, being a main defender, point-of-attack defender.”
The Lakers have lacked plus defenders on the perimeter for the last few years. In Williams, Quentin Grimes and Matisse Thybulle, they have three men who could help fill that void right away.
But what could ultimately determine how much playing time Williams gets is how much he contributes on the offensive end. He seems to have an idea of how to help in that category.
“Obviously Luka (Doncic) and AR (Austin Reaves) are going to be the main primary ball handlers,” Williams said. “So just playing off them, being able to shoot, cut, make plays in transition, stuff like that. They thought it was a great fit for me to be here, and the feeling was mutual.”
Outside shooting will especially be key for Williams. In his first three NBA seasons, he was a fairly poor 3-point shooter, but in the last two campaigns, he shot 34.1% and 34.3%, respectively, from that distance. That isn't exactly great, but it was an improvement, and he did make 43.8% of his wide-open 3-point attempts (defined as the nearest defender being at least six feet away from him) last season.
Los Angeles has a big hole in terms of a two-way starting wing or forward. Continued improvement, especially on offense, from Williams could eventually give him a shot at winning that role.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Ziaire Williams on what his role will be with the Lakers
