Ziaire Williams returns to Nets on two-year, $12 million deal

Free agent forward Ziaire Williams has agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract to return to the Nets for the 2025-26 season, league sources confirmed to the Daily News.

The second season of his new deal is a team option, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Williams, 23, is coming off his most productive season in the NBA, averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 assists in 63 games last season while shooting a career-best 34.1% from 3-point range. He also showcased enhanced defensive aptitude, frequently guarding the opponent’s top player and applying full-court pressure on ballhandlers, solidifying his value in Brooklyn’s rotation.

Originally selected 10th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021, the Nets acquired Williams and a 2030 second-round pick via Dallas in a trade last July in exchange for forward Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Serbian forward Nemanja Dangubić.

The Nets did not extend a qualifying offer to Williams, valued at $8.35 million for one year, on Sunday, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent and increasing the team’s salary cap flexibility. The 6-9 forward had an $18.4 million cap hold, according to CapSheets.com’s Yossi Gozlan.

Williams reportedly has veto rights on trades unless he waives them.

After re-signing Williams, the Nets are projected to have over $40 million in cap space. They must spend at least $45 million to meet the NBA’s salary floor for the 2025-26 season.