The Los Angeles Lakers have brought back forward Anton Watson, signing the former Boston Celtics draft pick to an Exhibit 10 contract, the team announced on Thursday.
Watson, 25, was selected 54th overall by Boston in the 2024 NBA Draft after spending five seasons at Gonzaga from 2019-24. As a senior, he earned All-WCC First Team honors. The Celtics waived him in March 2025, after which he appeared in nine games for the New York Knicks, playing 22 minutes.
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward spent the 2025-26 season with the South Bay Lakers, appearing in 50 games and making 34 starts. He averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes per game. His season shooting numbers were .500 from the field, .332 from three-point range and .697 from the free-throw line. Watson also recorded 0.7 blocks per game while committing just 0.7 turnovers per contest.
The new agreement gives Watson another opportunity to compete for a place with the Lakers during training camp and the preseason. He previously joined Los Angeles on an Exhibit 10 deal for training camp last year but was waived before the regular season. He then returned for the Lakers' Summer League team this year, averaging 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.9 blocks across 20.7 minutes in seven games.
Article Continues BelowIf Watson does not remain with the NBA roster, his contract can be moved to the Coachella Valley Lakers in the G League. Should that happen, he could qualify for a bonus of up to $91,000, in addition to his regular G League salary, by spending at least 60 days with the team.
The Exhibit 10 contract can also be converted into a two-way deal. Although Los Angeles currently has no two-way roster opening, two-way contracts are non-guaranteed, leaving open the possibility of Watson earning one if he makes an impression during the upcoming weeks.
The Lakers can carry as many as 21 players on their training camp roster, despite already facing a roster crunch ahead of Opening Night.