The Brooklyn Nets have declined to extend a qualifying offer to forward Ziaire Williams, allowing him to enter unrestricted free agency, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
The decision removes Williams’ $8.35 million cap hold for the 2025–26 season and gives Brooklyn increased financial flexibility heading into free agency.
Despite the move, the organization reportedly remains interested in retaining the 23-year-old wing.
Williams averaged 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals across 63 games this past season, including 45 starts for Brooklyn. He shot 41.2 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from three-point range in his lone campaign with the Nets.
Originally selected 10th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Stanford product has played four NBA seasons. His career averages across 213 regular season appearances include 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per contest.
He joined Brooklyn as part of a trade last summer and carved out a rotation role on a rebuilding roster that finished 26–56, 12th in the Eastern Conference.
By declining the qualifying offer, Brooklyn avoids the risk of Williams accepting the one-year tender, which would have counted fully against the cap.
The Nets are currently navigating a roster reset following another non-playoff finish and used the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to select Russian point guard Egor Demin from BYU.
While no longer restricted, Williams can now negotiate with any team. Brooklyn retains the option to re-sign him without matching rights.
