How Memphis Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams can follow Desmond Bane's path and make the jump next season

Ziaire Williams walked into his final media session of the season and talked with the confidence of an NBA veteran. 

This is a big summer for Williams. The Memphis Grizzlies have seen the benefits of their developmental system with the likes of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. all getting votes for the NBA’s Most Improved award.

Williams had a front row seat to the growth, and now he’s next in line. 

“I told all the coaches, I’m locked in this year,” Williams said. “I never ever been more excited for a summer offseason more than this one.”

Williams, 20, is taking a week to spend time with his family, but after that, it’s go-time. He’ll be back in Memphis working on his game with Grizzlies assistant coach Darko Rajakovic.

He’ll also have some help from Bane, who sees the potential in Williams. Bane talked all season about how his work in the summer with Rajakovic, Summer League and staying in Memphis helped his game. He wants Williams to experience that same feeling. 

“Whether he like it, I’m going to be dragging him around making sure that we’re getting our work in,” Bane said. 

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Williams’ progression in many ways can dictate the Grizzlies’ future. If he shines in Summer League, becomes stronger and increases his shot-creating skills, Memphis will have decisions to make. 

Dillon Brooks is entering the final year of his three-year contract. The Grizzlies went 22-10 with Brooks as the starting small forward and 21-10 with Williams starting. 

If Memphis wants to make a splash move, Brooks has one of the most enticing contracts on the roster. However, it’s hard to see the Grizzlies doing that without having confidence that Williams would be ready to be the full-time starter at small forward.  

“I’m excited, man,” Williams said about the offseason. “Everyone is going to see me now but the next time on the court, they’re going to be like, ‘wow, OK, he was serious. He really put the work in.”

The first two months of Williams’ rookie season were anything but good. He struggled on both ends of the floor as people wondered if the Grizzlies made a mistake with their first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2021 NBA Draft. 

Williams played one game in December before being injured and placed in health and safety protocols. Once he returned, the accumulation of film study and mental reps allowed his talent to shine. 

After the All-Star break, Williams averaged 9.5 points and 36% shooting on 3-pointers compared to 28% before the intermission. His plus-minus jumped from 1.8 to 8.5. When playing 30 or more minutes, Williams averaged 13.3 points on 49% shooting. 

“I honestly feel like I don’t really have a ceiling,” Williams said. “My whole life I’ve just been blessed with tools that you really can’t teach, so I feel like if I put the work in the sky is not even the limit for me.”

Those tools for Williams include being 6-foot-8 with a 6-10.5 wingspan. What most people only saw glimpses of was his ability to create off the dribble, but that’s where Williams has been comfortable his entire basketball life. This was the first time he ever played a reduced role where most of his shots were spot-up jumpers and transition opportunities. 

Williams had an up-and-down season on defense. Moving his feet better became an emphasis as he faced guards like Stephen Curry and D’Angelo Russell with good footwork. Stronger offensive players sometimes used their size to get advantages on Williams. He noticed that, so bulking up his slender frame is being emphasized. 

“That’s going to be my biggest focus more than anything this year,” Williams said. “Really dialing in on the weight room, the stretching, all the strength stuff to take it to the next level.”

Summer League play will begin for the Grizzlies on July 5 in the Salt Lake City Summer League. Williams is “1,000%” participating, he said. 

This was Bane a year ago, when he spent most of his rookie season taking spot-up jumpers, just like Williams. The Grizzlies played Bane at point guard in Summer League and worked on his ball-handling. The result was Bane playing more in pick-and-roll, pushing the pace in transition, taking off-the-dribble shots, and being the backup point guard when Morant was hurt. 

A lot is about to be thrown at Williams, but that didn’t slow down Bane, Morant or Jackson. 

“Darko, obviously, got the secret sauce,” Bane said. “Our whole performance staff is great. He’s definitely going to improve, and I’m looking forward to being here along with him on that journey.”

Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc