Ziaire Williams has the opportunity to become a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. The 6-foot-9 forward, whom the team signed to a one-year, $2.45 million contract in July, is not a finished product yet, but if he continues to improve and refine different aspects of his game, he could perhaps earn more playing time than he has gotten thus far in his NBA career.
Last season, he averaged 10.2 points and 1.4 steals in 22.9 minutes a game with the Brooklyn Nets. At this point in his career, the 24-year-old is known as a capable defender who has ample athleticism.
Per Benjamin Royer of the Southern California News Group, Williams talked to coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka about his role. Redick and Pelinka laid out a specific role for him on the defensive end.
"Williams said in his early conversations with Lakers coach JJ Redick and President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka, they have told him that their focus for him is "first and foremost, being a main defender, point-of-attack defender."
The Lakers have lacked plus defenders on the perimeter for the last few years. In Williams, Quentin Grimes and Matisse Thybulle, they have three men who could help fill that void right away.

#last