The Los Angeles Lakers completed a minimum-salary agreement with forward Ziaire Williams only after a private workout in Las Vegas convinced team officials his recent shooting gains were real, according to league insider Marc Stein.
Stein reported that vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, senior adviser Kurt Rambis and assistant coaches Nate McMillan and Greg St. Jean traveled to trainer Joe Abunassar’s Impact Basketball facility to watch the 6-foot-9 former lottery pick. The on-site session focused on Williams’ perimeter shooting and overall fitness.
Los Angeles announced the one-year contract with the 24-year-old on Sunday. Williams, who spent last season with the Brooklyn Nets, has raised his three-point percentage in each of the past three campaigns and is expected to bolster the Lakers’ wing depth off the bench.
The franchise has added two minimum-salary wings within a week. Before securing Williams, the Lakers reached a similar deal with defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle, formerly of the Portland Trail Blazers. Head coach JJ Redick and star guard Luka Doncic reportedly met with Thybulle prior to that signing.
Los Angeles continues to explore options for a starting-caliber forward, but the exact rotation will be determined during training camp.
Source: LakersNation.com
