New Lakers Rumors Reveal Potential NBA Free-Agent Target Amid LeBron James Contract Buzz

With reports that the Brooklyn Nets will decline Ziaire Williams' $6.2 million option this summer, the door may have opened for the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue him in free agency.

The Athletic's Dan Woike reported Sunday that, "According to a league source, one player the Lakers could take a look at in free agency is Williams, who had his team option declined by the Nets on Sunday. The Lakers have desires to get younger and more athletic on the wing, and Williams is coming off back-to-back seasons in Brooklyn where he averaged more than 10 points and shot better than 34 percent from three-point range. ... The bet for the Lakers would be that at 6-9 with a nearly 40-inch vertical leap, that Williams could be an impact defensive player with room for growth on the offensive side of the ball. He has fans inside the Lakers' facility."

He was also Bronny James' teammate back in the Sierra Canyon days.

Williams, 24, averaged career highs in points (10.2 PPG), steals (1.4 SPG) and three-point percentage (34.3 percent) in 2025-26, appearing in 56 games (13 starts) for the Nets.

The most successful teams built around Luka Dončić during his career have typically featured athletic and rangy wings, a rim-running center who can protect the basket and plenty of shooting. Building that type of core around him—especially if LeBron James departs this offseason—will be L.A.'s priority.

Granted, other teams are going to have interest in an athletic wing like Williams who probably won't be expensive to sign. The Lakers will have competition in that regard.

If the Nets didn't have a major roster crunch ahead of the 2026-27 season, it's feasible enough that they would have picked up his option. They could yet re-sign him.

But once free agency gets moving, don't be shocked if the Lakers bring him aboard.