The Brooklyn Nets have declined the $6.25 million team option for forward Ziaire Williams, sources told the New York Post on Sunday. This decision comes despite Williams having a career year with the team.
Williams averaged a career-high 10.2 points and 1.4 steals per game in 22.9 minutes across 56 games last season, including 13 starts. He missed the final five games of the season due to a left foot injury.
By declining the option, Williams will become an unrestricted free agent. While the Nets could still potentially re-sign him, the move allows the team flexibility. Declining the option does not save Brooklyn immediate cap space, as Williams' cap hold is higher than his previous salary. Significant savings would only occur if the team renounces his rights.
Brooklyn is projected to have approximately $40 million in cap space before a trade for Julius Randle becomes official, according to Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron. This figure could be adjusted if the team also declines the team option for center Day'Ron Sharpe and re-signs him to a new contract. The deadline for Sharpe's team option has been extended to Monday.
Williams has spent the past two seasons with the Nets.