Ziaire Williams Hopeful For Lakers' Starting Role After They Miss Out On Jonathan Kuminga
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Ziaire Williams is one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ new additions this summer to add depth to the wing role with players who have defensive versatility and can also be a lob threat.
He recently spoke to Ryan Ward of Sports Illustrated and addressed his opinion on his prospects of being a starter right out of the gate this summer, after the Lakers reportedly missed out on signing Jonathan Kuminga to fill that role.
“Yeah, I do, and I mean that’s the GM’s job, right, to put the best pieces together to try to win a championship. I don’t think it’s altered whether or not Kuminga was here. I wish him the best of luck in Minnesota,” the Lakers forward said.
“But as a team, we’re focused on the guys we have and making a deep playoff run and winning an NBA championship, and I think we have the tools to do so,” Williams concluded.
Williams is coming off a solid season where he 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 behind the three-point line. He recorded a career-high in points per game, steals, and three-point percentage.
So it is a bit surprising that the Nets declined his $6.25 million team option to let the Lakers get him for a steal, one-year, $3 million deal. Especially since he should be a perfect fit for what the Lakers need: defense.
“Absolutely,” said Williams when asked if he prides himself on his skills on the defensive end of the floor.
“Defense is making sure your body’s right, staying in shape, and definitely doing a lot of cardio and a lot of work. We worked hard every day, and now it definitely paid off. So summer’s not over yet, but I’m definitely happy where I’m at right now.”
The Lakers have also added a solid defender in Matisse Thybulle, and they drafted a young prospect (Cameron Carr) to add to their existing wing depth of players like Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt.
It will not be easy for Williams to consistently make the starting lineup, especially since he’s on a veteran-minimum contract. So it is a bit bold of Williams to say that he hopes to make it into the starting lineup right out of the gate. He has a lot of work to do this summer to get ahead of the aforementioned players.
“Definitely first and foremost, getting stronger, making sure my body is right. I feel like availability is the best ability,” said Williams on what he has worked on the most this summer.
“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.”
“Six years in, I kind of know where I thrive and what I need to get better, and where my spots will be out on the court. Fine-tuning certain things,” he concluded.
After the Lakers missed out on Jonathan Kuminga, it remains unclear who will start at power forward. Considering Vanderbilt and LaRavia have experience running JJ Redick’s schemes, they may initially have the edge.
But it will certainly be interesting to see how Williams works to earn his place, potentially in the starting lineup.