Nets to Decline 2026/27 Team Option On Ziaire Williams

The Nets are declining Ziaire Williams‘ $6.3MM team option for next season, Brian Lewis reports for the New York Post (via Twitter).

Williams was the 10th overall pick in the 2021 draft. He has spent the last two seasons in Brooklyn after starting his career with the Grizzlies, and has averaged 10.1 points and 1.2 steals in 23.7 minutes per game during that time.

He’s a strong defender at 6’9″ but has struggled at times with being a consistent offensive threat, shooting just 42.2% from the field over his five-year career.

By declining Williams’ options, the Nets could have around $40MM in cap space prior to the completion of the Julius Randle trade, depending on what they do with their team option for Day’Ron Sharpe, notes Yossi Gozlan of the Third Apron (Twitter link). The deadline on Sharpe’s option is tomorrow.

Williams will now hit unrestricted free agency, with the possibility remaining that the Nets could bring him back on a new deal. He is expected to have suitors in free agency, Brett Siegel notes for Clutch Points (Twitter link).