Ziaire Williams-Former Top-10 Pick Signed Off From Grizzlies To Nets
In a cost-cutting move by the Grizzlies, the Nets are acquiring small forward Ziaire Williams, the 10th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Ziaire Williams, a forward and 2021 top-10 draft prospect, was dealt by the Memphis Grizzlies to the Brooklyn Nets, the organizations confirmed on Friday. Williams trades Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Serbian Nemanja Dangubic, the 54th pick in the 2014 draft, to the Nets in exchange for a 2030 second-round selection via the Dallas Mavericks.
Trade for Ziaire Williams between Nets and Grizzles
The agreement removes the $6.1 million 2024–25 contract guarantee for Williams and gives the Grizzlies additional salary cap flexibility while they try to re-sign guard Luke Kennard. Williams, 22, could have additional opportunities with the rebuilding Nets.
Ziaire Williams’ Stats
Since being selected 10th overall out of Stanford in the 2021 draft, he has played a limited role. In exchange, Brooklyn acquires another future draft pick to challenge Williams. Throughout his three NBA seasons, Williams has averaged 7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 150 games for the Grizzlies.
The 27-year-old depth player Diakite played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks since his entry into the league in 2020–21. Under his contract, he is guaranteed a further $1.39 million.
In 20.4 minutes per game across 51 appearances for the Grizzlies last year, Williams, who will make $6.1 million in the final season of his rookie deal in 2024–25, averaged 8.2 points and shot just 30.7 percent from three-point range.
Up until October 21, the 22-year-old Stanford product is qualified for a rookie extension. Williams lost time earlier in the season due to a hand ailment, and he also had a hip flexor strain and lower back injury after March 2.
Memphis sought to reduce their cost in order to remain within the first luxury tax bracket of the salary cap. Diakite, who played in just six NBA games in 2023–24 — three each with the Spurs and the Knicks — is expected to earn $2.27 million this season.
After trading veteran Royce O’Neale to the Suns in February, the Nets had a $9.5 million trade exception available.
Statement from Nets General Manager
For salary-matching reasons, the Nets also acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Shake Milton from the Knicks in exchange for five first-round picks (four of which were unprotected) and a future unprotected first-round pick. Following the announcement of the Bridges trade, Nets general manager Sean Marks stated he didn’t think the team’s rebuilding process would take a long time.
