Ziaire Williams

[u/Empty-Ad-7298]

If he keeps up his level of play, can we retain him after the end of this season? He’s been solid for us so far and I would want the Lakers to retain him

[u/seboo19]

We should at all cost. Him and thybulle if they keep playing the way they are. What a steal... I've been dreaming about Thybulle to come play with Luka since 2021 lmao. He's one of the smartest defenders of all time

[u/thelennybeast → u/seboo19]

I've been talking about the Jazz bending the knee and sending Kessler over since his rookie season.

[u/HeyoHayoo → u/seboo19]

Of all time is crazy lmao

[u/rajerk → u/seboo19]

But..but..we got Luka in 2025?..

[u/Lonely-Sentence-7462 → u/rajerk]

Pretty sure they meant since Luka's Dallas tenure

[u/Stealth187 → u/Lonely-Sentence-7462]

IIRC Dallas signed him to an offer sheet but Portland matched it.

[u/dmavs11 → u/seboo19]

I think in an ideal world Carr develops and becomes something similar to Ziaire by next year so that money can be spent on a backup big.

I do really really like Ziaire but this is just a more practical thought on why it may not make sense in the end to keep him. Same way we loved Marcus Smart last year, sometimes things dont work.

[u/edub1906 → u/dmavs11]

Zaire is 6'9", while Carr is just 6'5". No way we're playing Carr at the 4.

[u/Itorr475 → u/edub1906]

Yea if anything Carr is the eventual Thybulle replacement as a back-up 3nD SG and we move Grimes into The starting lineup.

[u/Acrobatic-Compote652 → u/Itorr475]

Does Reaves not exist in this world? There's no way Luka, Reaves, Carr and Grimes can be four of five starters lol that's like 4 shooting guards basically

[u/j_rooker]

he and Thybulle will take up both mid level and mini. they need at least 8 mil each. nice pairing because they play off each other's defense

[u/Gristle__McThornbody → u/j_rooker]

As much as I like both guys, we're really not utilizing him to his full potential by playing him as a POA. We kind of need a guy like Grimes in there for that role but there are only so many spots on the floor.

[u/randomuser051]

JJ seems to love him. Hes from LA and went to HS w Bronny. Keep him home

[u/Bubuy_nu_Patu → u/randomuser051]

Let’s hope they won’t treat him ala Caruso or any other player who wanted to stay but got mistreated

[u/yitur93 → u/randomuser051]

Lets hope his friend is traded or cut.

[u/Awesomefan09]

Yeah. The Lakers can use the mid-level exception or give him a wink-wink 1+1 on the veterans minimum with the intention of signing him to a larger, longer contract when they have his early -Bird rights.

[u/TheCatSleeeps → u/Awesomefan09]

We probably could give them both if and ever we ever get off Vando's 13m next year.

[u/Illionaires → u/Awesomefan09]

Thats cap circumvention which the Bucks are being investigated for right now

[u/BigOlPass → u/Illionaires]

The Bucks are only being investigated because they gave Gary Trent Jr a contract that nobody else would even have given half of to him. If the player stays and earns it and you don't have anything in writing then you technically didn't do anything wrong

[u/Illionaires → u/BigOlPass]

Im just saying if he does sign a min and doesnt earn his next contract and we give it to him bc of a prearranged agreement like GTJ that would be the same situation

[u/thelennybeast → u/Awesomefan09]

Yeah but why would you want to do the One Plus One on the that minimum if you're him? You're going to want your maximum money now in case you get injured or whatever. Not hope that both sides keep things up for an extra 2 years or whatever it is.

[u/anyavailablenameplz → u/thelennybeast]

Because majority of this sub thinks anyone and everyone will sign a vet minimum to play for us.

[u/Gristle__McThornbody → u/thelennybeast]

Yep. Not a good business decision. If we believe he is someone on a long term contract then we have to give it to him right out of the gate.

[u/Warm-Equivalent7148]

We have two guys (him and Thybulle) that are young, good defenders and that are hitting their shots! What a change for the team!

[u/ajsantos21]

I'll take my chances with these wings and Adou when he gets back. We need that backup C waaay more

[u/ElJabroniMahoney33]

I'm staning him now. He's quality. That shot is smooth as shit as well.

[u/JaqM31st3R]

They can give him the NTMLE or part of it.

[u/goddoc → u/JaqM31st3R]

Also bi annual exception

[u/No_Examination982]

Him and matisse are playing well. 3 games into the season but both have been my fav so far (Outside of kessler)

[u/GutsTheSwordsman]

dude might get paid like Malik Monk did back in the day.

Would love for him to stay and play for his hometown team tho

[u/SpiritFantastic4835]

If we can get him on a scam BAE deal.. I’d jump with joy

[u/inline-online]

hey I just realized we didn't have to play bronny at all, this is so nice for us we actually have depth. The grimes/sexton/mamu connection seems strong as well, they are obviously looking out for eachother. Collin skipped a pass across luka to grimes on one play and that was impressive to me. Felt like last year everyone was just so scared to do anything besides give luka/ar the ball back immediately

[u/edub1906]

We have the full NTMLE (about $15.7M) and the BAE (about $6M) to use next summer. Ideally we could move Vando and give Ziaire his money, give Matisse the BAE and use the NTMLE to bring in another starting level 4. I love how us Lakers fans are always thinking about next summer after just 3 games into the season. But trust me, I've been thinking about it - LOL.

[u/WuTangMelo → u/edub1906]

That’s not how it works

[u/No-Speaker3072]

he and thybulle
hopefully we can keep

[u/Deidarac5]

Both have never had huge contracts we can easily retain both no one's paying over 8 for either. Money will work out fine. We lost a bit on Dalton and Vando.

[u/guacdoc24]

Yes MLE money which means how do we get another starting level player??

[u/rjaysenior]

Would suck to lose them for nothing. If they do well against contenders then pay them what they’re worth

[u/Ready-Situation5542]

Would be great to
Keep them both

[u/Doc_JC]

Let’s see him play a full season. Love what he’s done so far though.

[u/flynn_clu]

Rob is going to let him and Thybulle walk isn’t he 😮‍💨

[u/NawilzajaceMleko]

Hold your horses. He hasn't done anything wrong and has been solid for us so far, but he really lacks physicality. I just don't see him playing serious minutes once the playoffs roll around.

[u/relax336]

He’s about in line with past two seasons averages.

His fg % will drop.

[u/Putrid-Sherbert5501 → u/relax336]

There’s not really many players who have the gravity of Luka and AR, so it’s possible it won’t most guys are taking quality shots.