Originally published by LakersNation.com
It’s been a busy offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers as they reshape their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
While most of their work was done on the first few days or free agency given the Lakers’ glut of cap space, there are still moves to be made to improve the roster. Considering the team used all of its cap space though, those moves would need to come via trade.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, they are signing wing Ziaire Williams to a one-year contract:
Free agent forward Ziaire Williams has agreed on a one-year, $3 million deal to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/peHUxlls6d
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2026
Lakers reach a deal with Williams and CAA Co-Head of Basketball Aaron Mintz to address their wing depth — and LA continues to strongly pursue Jonathan Kuminga as a potential starting forward, sources tell ESPN. Williams averaged 10.2 points and 22.9 minutes for the Nets last… https://t.co/4njsbJYd7U
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2026
Williams has some ties to the Lakers organization and Los Angeles as he was a high school teammate of Bronny James’ at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth. He originally was drafted 10th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021 out of Stanford and got off to a slow start in his career before coming on strong in Brooklyn.
In 56 games (13 starts ) for the Nets last season, Williams averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 42.5% from the field and 34.3% from 3-point range in 22.9 minutes per game.
For a veteran minimum contract, this is a nice deal for the Lakers as Williams is still developing into a quality two-way wing. As Charania reported, they are still looking to add Jonathan Kuminga as their starting wing, although that would require a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
If they are unable to do so, the addition of Williams gives them some insurance on the wing.
The team’s roster is now at a full 15 players, so any other additions would require a trade to open up roster spots.
Lakers’ roster will look much different in 2026-27
While the offseason is not yet over, it has become very clear that the Lakers will head into the 2026-27 season with a much different roster.
In addition to this move, they have also brought in Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy and Kevon Looney. Those players will help fill the void left by players who departed or are expected to depart through free agency or trades, which is a lengthy list that includes LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, among others.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers as they reshape their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
While most of their work was done on the first few days or free agency given the Lakers’ glut of cap space, there are still moves to be made to improve the roster. Considering the team used all of its cap space though, those moves would need to come via trade.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, they are signing wing Ziaire Williams to a one-year contract:
Free agent forward Ziaire Williams has agreed on a one-year, $3 million deal to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/peHUxlls6d
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2026
Lakers reach a deal with Williams and CAA Co-Head of Basketball Aaron Mintz to address their wing depth — and LA continues to strongly pursue Jonathan Kuminga as a potential starting forward, sources tell ESPN. Williams averaged 10.2 points and 22.9 minutes for the Nets last… https://t.co/4njsbJYd7U
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2026
Williams has some ties to the Lakers organization and Los Angeles as he was a high school teammate of Bronny James’ at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth. He originally was drafted 10th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021 out of Stanford and got off to a slow start in his career before coming on strong in Brooklyn.
In 56 games (13 starts ) for the Nets last season, Williams averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 42.5% from the field and 34.3% from 3-point range in 22.9 minutes per game.
For a veteran minimum contract, this is a nice deal for the Lakers as Williams is still developing into a quality two-way wing. As Charania reported, they are still looking to add Jonathan Kuminga as their starting wing, although that would require a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
If they are unable to do so, the addition of Williams gives them some insurance on the wing.
The team’s roster is now at a full 15 players, so any other additions would require a trade to open up roster spots.
Lakers’ roster will look much different in 2026-27
While the offseason is not yet over, it has become very clear that the Lakers will head into the 2026-27 season with a much different roster.
In addition to this move, they have also brought in Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy and Kevon Looney. Those players will help fill the void left by players who departed or are expected to depart through free agency or trades, which is a lengthy list that includes LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, among others.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
