Ziaire Williams made four two-point shots and one three against the Clippers on Friday, according to ESPN’s box score. That is the kind of balance I want the Lakers to keep pursuing. His outside shot deserves opportunities. His entire offensive assignment should not depend on it.
As of Saturday, Oct. 24, I would build Williams’ role around timely cuts, quick catches near the basket and taking the open jumper when it comes. Basketball Reference lists him at 34.3% from three for Brooklyn last season, with 58% of his field-goal attempts coming from outside the arc. That is too much of his shot diet for the Lakers to copy willingly.
The argument starts with where he was more effective. In Basketball Reference’s shooting table, Williams made 68% of his attempts within three feet last season. His overall two-point percentage was 53.8%. I would ask JJ Redick to hunt the close chances, especially when Williams’ defender starts watching Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves instead of the man he is guarding.
Williams still has to earn the opening. A strong percentage near the rim does not promise a layup on demand, and I would not ask him to manufacture one against a set defender. Give him a route toward a catch, with the guard doing the work of drawing the help first.
Friday offered an encouraging result without a huge shooting workload. ESPN’s final box score gives Williams 14 points on five makes in seven attempts, including one of three from deep and three made free throws. He added five rebounds, two steals and a block, with no turnovers. I want more evenings in which he can contribute that way without needing a pile of jumpers.
The caution is that Brooklyn’s outside-heavy distribution was persistent. Basketball Reference records 103 makes in 302 three-point attempts in 2024-25, then 86 in 251 last season. His percentage barely moved, from 34.1% to 34.3%, and threes accounted for about 58% of his shots in both years. A new jersey is a good reason to revisit the job description. It is a poor reason to declare the jumper repaired.
There is already a small change in the Lakers numbers. Through his first two regular-season games, Basketball Reference has Williams at seven makes in nine two-point attempts and two in five from three. Nine of his 14 shots have come inside the arc. I like that distribution much more than the Brooklyn version, even though nobody should pencil in 77.8% shooting on twos for the rest of the season.
Our Clippers recap focused on Reaves and Walker Kessler covering for lost possessions. Williams gives that offense another question to ask: when the guards draw attention, can a forward turn the defender’s distraction into a simple finish? I would rather see him try that than treat standing outside as his only useful contribution.
Cut When the Lane Opens, Then Get Out of Kessler’s Way
My preferred possession is easy to picture. Doncic holds the ball on the wing, Kessler screens, and Williams waits on the opposite side. If Williams’ defender turns fully toward the ball and the path behind him opens, I want Williams cutting decisively. Make the defender choose between helping on the ball and staying attached to a moving target.
I would have Williams watch the defender before watching the ball. If the defender keeps his body between Williams and the basket, stay available outside. If he steps toward Doncic and loses sight of Williams, take the space behind him before he can recover.
The center’s position has to govern the cut. If Kessler is rolling into the same space, Williams should hold his spot or move along the perimeter to remain available. Two teammates arriving at the rim together can make one defender look unusually industrious. I want the Lakers creating a difficult choice for that defender, with an outlet if the first opening disappears.
Williams should also finish his movement when he does not get the ball. Clear through to an available spot rather than stopping beside the center and asking the guard to solve the traffic jam. A cut can help by moving a defender even when the cutter never receives a pass. The next catch still needs room.
This is where I would distinguish Williams’ assignment from a general order to drive more. Basketball Reference lists him at 35% from three to 10 feet last season. That is a warning against turning an unavailable layup into a difficult short jumper. When a defender closes the lane, move the ball. Getting inside the arc only helps if the resulting decision is useful.
His foul shooting gives me another reason to welcome clean catches near the basket. Williams made 119 of 140 free throws last season, or 85%, per Basketball Reference. Contact does not have to ruin that opportunity. Still, I would ask him to finish the play in front of him, rather than seek whistles as a substitute for getting a good shot.
I also want the open three taken promptly. More cutting should not become permission to pass up a clean catch and dribble into a crowd. Williams needs to make a defender respect both possibilities: leave him alone outside and he shoots; turn away while the lane is open and he moves. A role with choices is harder to defend than a player waiting for one preferred answer.
The Lakers roster and depth chart puts those decisions in context. My priority around Doncic, Reaves and Kessler is useful movement that preserves their space. Williams should not have to win a personal scoring contest to keep helping that group. A timely cut, a quick pass and a willing shot can all serve the same possession.
We argued before the opener that Redick should give his wing starters time to work through mistakes. I would apply that patience to Williams learning these reads. Correct a cut that crowds the roller. Praise one that creates an opening even if the pass goes elsewhere. Keep the standard tied to the decision, so the first missed three does not erase everything else he did.
When Williams’ defender looks toward Doncic, watch Williams’ feet. That is where I want the next easy Lakers basket to begin.