NBA official: Lakers lock in forward Zaire Williams for 1 year, $3 million.

The NBA has officially confirmed that the Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Zaire Williams. According to a previous report by ESPN's Shams Charania, the two sides reached a one-year, $3 million minimum salary contract.

After joining the Lakers, 24-year-old Williams will be entering his sixth NBA season. ESPN's Dave McMenamin further points out that Williams is currently the Lakers' 15th player with a standard contract.

As the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Williams began his professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies. He played three seasons with the Grizzlies, accumulating 150 regular season games, averaging 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 19.6 minutes per game, with a field goal percentage of 42.6% and a three-point percentage of 30.1%.

In July 2024, Williams, along with a second-round pick, was traded from the Grizzlies to the Brooklyn Nets. To date, he has played 119 regular-season games for the Nets, averaging 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 23.7 minutes per game, with a field goal percentage of 41.8% and a three-point percentage of 34.2%.

Before the Lakers finalized this signing, the New Orleans Pelicans had expressed strong interest in Williams. However, Williams ultimately rejected the Pelicans' offer and instead joined his hometown team, the Lakers, who were considered a stronger championship contender.

Meanwhile, the Lakers haven't stopped their efforts to strengthen their frontcourt. They are still actively pursuing Jonathan Cuminga, believing he has the potential to become a starting forward.

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