South Bay Lakers center Malik Williams
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Malik Williams during his time with Louisville in March 2022
The Los Angeles Lakers’ search for stability at center has felt like a revolving door in recent years, with the franchise consistently turning to short-term fixes.
Deandre Ayton represents the latest attempt to solve that issue, but an inconsistent campaign has cast doubt over his long-term fit in Los Angeles.
With the Lakers projected to have significant cap flexibility this offseason, frontcourt reinforcements are widely expected to be a priority.
At the same time, down in the G League, the South Bay Lakers may already be housing a potential solution, with one under-the-radar big man quietly putting together an impressive run of form.
Lakers Quietly Uncover Intriguing Frontcourt Option in South Bay
In February, South Bay acquired Malik Williams from the College Park Skyhawks in exchange for two future first-round picks, a notable investment driven by necessity following the midseason departure of Kylor Kelley.
Williams, 27, arrived with pedigree as a former five-star recruit, and he has begun to flash the upside that once made him a highly regarded prospect.
Through 14 games with South Bay, the 6-foot-11 center is averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.1 blocks per game.
He’s shooting 50.3% from the field and an impressive 37.6% from three-point range on 6.0 attempts per contest.
He is currently in the midst of a strong scoring stretch, recording 19 or more points in four straight games, including a 19-point, 15-rebound performance in a win over the Grand Rapids Gold on March 21.
Across that span, Williams has posted three double-doubles, while in the one game he fell short, he still delivered 24 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Over those four games, he has knocked down 14 three-pointers, highlighting his value as a modern two-way big capable of stretching the floor.
Williams’ Two-Way Production Continues to Stand Out
While Kelley built his reputation primarily as a defensive anchor, Williams offers a far more balanced profile, blending perimeter shooting, rebounding, and defensive versatility.
His impact has been reflected across the G League leaderboard. Williams ranks fifth in total rebounds with 415, while his 56 blocks place him 16th overall.
He has also scored 680 points, the fourth-most among centers, while his 94 made three-pointers rank second at the position.
After going undrafted in 2022 following a four-year college career at Louisville, Williams gained professional experience overseas in Poland before returning stateside, where he spent time with the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate and later earned NBA opportunities with the Toronto Raptors.
In seven NBA appearances during the 2023-24 season, he averaged 2.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game.
His most notable performance came against the Brooklyn Nets, when he recorded seven points and 14 rebounds, including five offensive boards, showcasing his ability to compete at the NBA level.
Williams’ recent form in South Bay is unlikely to go unnoticed, within the Lakers organization, across the wider league, and internationally.
While his path back to the NBA may be complicated by roster restrictions, his performances suggest the Lakers may have uncovered a legitimate frontcourt option as they continue their search for long-term stability at the center position.