Ziaire Williams believes a meaningful opportunity is waiting for him with the Los Angeles Lakers after the team missed out on Jonathan Kuminga.
The 24-year-old forward recently joined Los Angeles on a one-year, $3 million veteran minimum contract.
With Kuminga choosing Minnesota instead, Williams could now have a larger role than initially expected.
Asked whether he believes he can start for the Lakers following Kuminga’s decision, Williams expressed confidence in both himself and the roster assembled by the front office.
“Yeah, I do, and I mean that’s the GM’s job, right to put the best pieces together to try to win a championship. I don’t think it’s altered whether or not Kuminga was here,” Ziaire Williams told Ryan Ward of On SI when asked if he thinks he will start for LA after the Kuminga snub.
“I wish him the best of luck in Minnesota, but as a team, we’re focused on the guys we have and making a deep playoff run and winning an NBA championship and I think we have the tools to do so.”
Kuminga had been strongly pursued by the Lakers before ultimately signing a three-year, $13 million contract with the Timberwolves.
Reports indicated that he rejected a more lucrative offer from Los Angeles after being convinced by Anthony Edwards and Minnesota’s pitch.
The forward reached unrestricted free agency after Atlanta declined his team option for 2026-27.
He averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 36 games with the Hawks and Golden State Warriors last season.
For Williams, Kuminga’s choice creates an opening to establish himself as one of the Lakers’ primary wings.
Playing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves could also give him a chance to increase his value before returning to free agency next summer.
Williams is coming off the strongest statistical season of his career, averaging 10.2 points and 1.4 steals for the Brooklyn Nets in 2025-26.
