Lakers Cut Ties With Former Celtics Draft Pick One Day After Signing Him

Anton Watson 's time with the Los Angeles Lakers didn't last long.

On Thursday, the Lakers announced that they signed Watson to an Exhibit 10 contract. The following day, the Lakers announced that they had signed two more players and waived Watson.

After five seasons at Gonzaga, the Boston Celtics selected Watson with the No. 54 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, one pick ahead of Bronny James . Watson signed a two-way contract with the Celtics but was waived before appearing in a single NBA game for Boston.

Watson spent most of his time with the Celtics organization in the G League, playing for the Maine Celtics.

Watson was claimed off waivers by the Knicks after the Celtics waived him and appeared in nine games for New York. He then spent the 2025-26 season in the G League, playing for the Lakers' affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

The Lakers' decision to waive Watson one day after signing him appears to be part of an effort to keep him in their G League system with the newly relocated Coachella Valley Lakers.

Watson appeared in 50 games (34 starts) for South Bay last season. He averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes per game.