Choose Your Own Adventure: Predicting the future of Ziaire Williams

Late Thursday night, the Grizzlies slipped a slight news nugget onto the tail end of the draft. Almost as if they were hoping we we’d miss it or something. Well guess what? I remembered to put my contacts in Thursday. I saw that they announced pieces of their summer league roster. I’m sure you did as well. It appeared like all the usual suspects (the rooks and 2nd years) were going to be making the trip to Vegas. There was one noteworthy omission from the list though…

I for one, was hoping to see Z’s name first among that group. Yet, as of this writing, Z will not play in Summer League for Memphis. At least as of now. In actuality, this could change at any literal moment. It may come out tomorrow he’s decided to put in a personal request to make the trip. It’s by no means the norm to see third year players in Vegas. Or, it may also come out tomorrow that Z’s decided he doesn’t need to go to Summer league. That would be weird. To be honest, new news about the young man could come out tomorrow. We don’t know enough of the details surrounding the situation to know for certain.

Either way, seeing the Grizzlies exclude his name is cause for slight concern. Players in need of more reps and development tend to be the Summer League participants. No shade aimed at Z, but as a former lottery pic drafted at age 19, limited to 37 games in year 2…I’m just saying ‘reps to develop’ may be just what the doctor ordered.

I love Ziaire Williams. What he did in the playoffs as a rookie was no flash in the pan. It is my desire to see him succeed, and more than that, to do so here. The Grizzlies are at crossroads though. As the roster appears poised to evolve into its final (championship?) phase. How much room for the ‘young-uns’ will there be? It’s worth forecasting what Z’s trajectory in Memphis will be.

!WARNING and BEWARE!

‘This piece is different from other pieces. You and YOU ALONE are in charge of what happens this Memphis ‘offseason’. There are dangers, choices, adventures and consequences. YOU must use all of your numerous talents and much of your enormous intelligence. The wrong decision could end in disaster—even death…

But, don’t despair. At anytime, YOU can go back and make another choice, alter the path of your story, and change its result… You have reached a crossroads with Ziaire Williams and have separate paths that lay before you…’

If you decide to have Ziaire bolster your Summer roster turn to #7

NBA Summer League starts with three days of play in Salt Like City, Utah. The bulk of the event takes place later though, starting on July 7th. In Las Vegas, Nevada. If announced later this week, that Ziaire Williams would in fact be playing this summer. That would thrill me to say the least, and for many reasons too.

For starters he needs it. Losing momentum is never a good thing. When you go from a valuable rotation piece in the playoffs to all a sudden dealing with injuries that limit you to 37 games? This is going to effect not only a young hoopers momentum but also his confidence. Z can’t love all these other young Memphis draft picks getting successful minutes. If I were him I’d be chomping at the bit to prove myself.

If he the does announce his intent to play for the Grizzlies’ Summer League team, that’s huge. Sure he’ll get the basketball reps. Cool he needs them. Should Z elect to play this summer though, it would be exhibiting a huge jump in maturity. I’m not sure how many kids his age have the wherewithal to zoom out so they get the whole picture. It’s an unaccepted level of awareness let’s say that.

What if he were to go off this summer? Think about it. How would his future with the team look if he flat out hoops, every game? This was after requesting to to make the trip. You think Ziaire doesn’t know how good that would make him look? Who says that’s a bad thing?

If you have bundled Ziaire in a trade for a roster upgrade turn to #30

The “official” start of NBA Free Agency is June 30th. Almost staring us in the face at this point. You may be of the mindset that that the Grizzlies tweaks to the roster are complete. After taking a massive swing and nabbing Marcus Smart, the dust may have settled in Memphis. At least surrounding any roster additions or subtractions.

Yet, there are some who think the Grizzlies still have one more move left in them. The main reasoning behind this centers around Dillon Brooks. Rather than risk him leaving for nothing, Memphis may elect for a sign and trade. This would be the optimal option when you consider the return the Villain would reap. Anything beats nothing right?

How does this concern Ziaire though? Well out of all the young guys on the squad he carries by far the biggest cap hit. Next season Z will be making $4.8 million. That’s by far the most of any player drafted the past three drafts. The next closest is Jake LaRavia with a salary of $3.1 million next year. If the Grizzlies wanted to package together players and picks for that final piece of the roster, they may not be able to pull anything off without including Z in the deal.

To be honest, Memphis could do worse when it comes to packaging a trade together. Including Z not only provides the salary filler needed to snag a larger target in Free Agency, it also provides the receiving team with a promising young player. A young player who’s already exhibited greatness on several stages. If they can flip Ziaire (and DB) for say Jerami Grant or Kris Middleton or Harrison Barnes why would they not? It’s about the only reason I can think of to not send the young man to Summer League.

If you elect to start Ziaire in the opening day lineup turn to #3

What if the reason Ziaire wasn’t listed as a Summer League participant is because he doesn’t need the reps? I’m serious. That would be weird, but it could happen. Think about it though…if all that he’s done to this point of the offseason is hoop. I’m talking eat, sleep, and think basketball. If he’s dedicating himself to succeed at the highest level, he won’t stop until he’s better. And if that happens?

Well if that happens Ziaire Williams will be the new starter at the 3 position. He’ll have that spot by the opening game if that’s the case in all honesty. How could he not. If he was capable of spot starting as an unpolished rookie? Imagine what a full formed Z would look like on the court. Next to leveled-up versions of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane? That’s a team capable of suffocating opposing teams. Both on the offensive and defensive ends.

Does this strike me as the direction we’re heading with Ziaire? As of now, no, not with much confidence. This isn’t to say it won’t happen though. Z is that kind of player. In fact, he may have the highest ceiling of any of these young players currently on the roster. If he’s able to tap in and reach that ceiling that starting 3 spot? It’s going to be his for the taking.

What path do you want for Ziaire Williams?

With the recent announcement of Memphis’ summer league roster the team must make a choice. A title is the goal right? So the plan should be to do everything to win said title correct? Well that means making roster decisions, and tough ones too. None tougher than Ziaire Williams.

Does Memphis perform an about face, announcing their intent to send Z to Summer League? Do they cut their losses and attach the young talent to a trade package for a bigger star? Or do they double down on their guy, committing to Ziaire’s progress from Year 2 to Year 3? The Grizzlies have options in front of them. The choice could have a profound effect in determining Z’s NBA journey.

Choose wisely.