Anton Watson Signs Training Camp Deal With Los Angeles Lakers

The former Swiss army knife with Gonzaga is looking for his opportunity in the league, joining his third NBA franchise.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Anton Watson #21 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 19, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images)

This NBA news came out of left field on a late evening of college football Saturday night. Anton Watson is joining another fellow Zag, Rui Hachimura, with the Los Angeles Lakers on a training camp deal this fall. He will compete for a spot on the regular-season roster with one two-way slot open.

In 2024-25, Watson was waived by the Boston Celtics in March (the same franchise that drafted him late in the second round with the 54th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft) and was then almost immediately signed by the New York Knicks on another two-way contract. The 6-8 forward finished his first professional season in the NBA with only nine appearances in 2.4 minutes per game.

On the G League level, he showed off more flashes of his versatility on both ends of the floor, putting together 12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game with the Maine Claws, Boston’s affiliate.

During his time in the NBA Summer League with the Knicks, he averaged 8.2 points on a shooting split of 57.7 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 100 percent on free throws to go along with 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists through 17.2 minutes per game.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

Category: General Sports