Report: Lakers considering signing Ziaire Williams! At 2.06m tall with a vertical leap exceeding 1m, he was a high school teammate of Bronny James

On June 29, Beijing time, per Lakers reporter Woike, sources say the Lakers intend to scout Brooklyn Nets small forward Ziaire Williams during free agency. The Nets turned down his team option today. Los Angeles aims to make its forward rotation younger and more athletic, and Williams—who averaged over 10 points per game in each of his last two seasons with Brooklyn and shot above 34% from three—fits the bill.

Now 24 years old, Ziaire Williams plays small forward. Selected 10th overall in the 2021 draft, he spent his first three seasons with Memphis before being traded to Brooklyn in 2024. A former five-star high school prospect, he boasts exceptional athleticism, combining forward size with guard speed, and attended Stanford University. With the Lakers' current forward corps aging and lacking athleticism, Williams—young and inexpensive—could serve as a backup 3-and-D wing, aligning with the team's push for a younger roster.

The Nets have a crowded roster, leading them to decline Williams' $6.25 million team option for next season.

What the Lakers see in Williams: At 2.06m tall with a standing vertical leap near 1.02m, he has the potential to become a defensive stopper, while still having significant room to grow offensively. Many staff members within the organization are high on him.

There is also a local connection: Williams was a high school teammate of Bronny James at Sierra Canyon School.