Grizzlies Trade Ziaire Williams To Nets For Mamadi Diakite

The Memphis Grizzlies traded forward Ziaire Williams to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Brooklyn also received a 2030 second-round pick via the Dallas Mavericks for Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Serbian Nemanja Dangubic, the 54th pick in the 2014 draft.

Memphis Grizzlies traded Ziaire Williams to Brooklyn Nets to move out $6.1 million, allow them to re-sign Luke Kennard

The deal moves out the $6.1 million guaranteed on Williams’ contract for 2024-25 and creates more salary cap flexibility. This will allow the Grizzlies to re-sign guard Luke Kennard.

Williams, who turns 23 on Sept. 12, has had a limited role since going 10th overall in the 2021 draft out of Stanford. The 6-foo-9, 215-pound wing will have the opportunity to excel with the rebuilding Nets.

Through 150 career NBA games (50 starts), Williams has averaged 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 19.6 minutes per game while shooting 42.6% from the field, 30.1% from 3-point range, and 80.3% at the free throw line.

Last season, the California native made 15 starts in 51 games with the Grizzlies. He averaged career highs of 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting a career-best 82.7% at the foul line. However, Williams also shot a career-low 39.7% from the floor.

In Memphis’ 113-106 loss to the Washington Wizards on Oct. 28, 2023, he recorded 16 points, a career-high 10 rebounds, and one assist in 33 minutes as a starter.

Williams notched a career-high 27 points against Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 15

Before NBA All-Star Weekend, the forward also posted a career-high 27 points on 9-of-13 (69.2%) shooting from the field and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from deep against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 15.

“I told him after the game, ‘Just keep working, proud of the work that you’ve been putting in, man,’” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said about Williams after the win.

“He and I’ve had some honest conversations the last week or two about what’s transpired this season. … He’s going to continue to make the most of the opportunity. [Williams has] showcased an ability to put in the work and make it matter.”

Mamadi Diakite, 27, entered the league in the 2020-21 season and has spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks (2020-21 season), Oklahoma City Thunder (2021-22 season), Cleveland Cavaliers (2022-23 season), San Antonio Spurs (2022-23 season), and New York Knicks (2023-24 season).

He has $1.39 million guaranteed remaining on his deal.

Through 55 career games (six starts), he has averaged 3.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 9.6 minutes per game while shooting 48.3% from the floor.