It might get a little awkward in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room once the team gathers again. On Monday, the Lakers reportedly agreed to a 1-year, $3 million contract with former first-round pick Ziaire Williams, a player with whom Luka Doncic has a little history.
Following the news of Williams landing with the Lakers amid the looming NBA free agency, a video resurfaced on social media showing a game between the Nets and Los Angeles from last season, where Doncic and Williams got into it.
Here is a video of that heated moment involving the two players, where Williams can be seen hitting Doncic in the neck.
now Luka & Zaire Williams are teammates 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/RLZYIr3LUq
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) July 13, 2026
Doncic and Williams were each assessed with a technical foul for their actions. That was Doncic’s 16th tech of that season, triggering an automatic one-game suspension for the former NBA scoring champion.
But that should be all behind Doncic and Williams now, as the Lakers prepare to hand the reins of the franchise to Doncic following the departure of LeBron James.
Williams should serve a role as part of Doncic’s supporting cast. A first-round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021, Williams played 269 games through five seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and Nets, averaging 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists, while shooting 42.2% from the field.
