The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to build out their roster ahead of training camp. Now they are bringing back familiar face forward Anton Watson. The Lakers announced that they signed Watson to an Exhibit 10 contract. The move gives Watson another opportunity to compete with the Lakers during training camp and the preseason. He spent much of last season with the organization’s G League affiliate.
Anton Watson Returns
Watson joined the Lakers for training camp last year but was waived before the regular season. He stayed with the organization and played 50 games, starting 34 of them, for the South Bay Lakers during the 2025-26 season.
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field.
Watson also played for the Lakers in the Las Vegas Summer League. Over five games, he averaged 6.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1 block per game. The Lakers bringing Watson back shows they are still interested in his development.
Watson was the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after five seasons at Gonzaga. He made the All-WCC First Team in his last college year. He later played nine NBA games with the New York Knicks.
What Watson’s Exhibit 10 Contract Means
His Exhibit 10 deal gives the Lakers some flexibility with his future. Watson can compete for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason. The contract can also be converted into a two-way deal. The Lakers currently don’t have an available two-way spot, however.
If Watson is waived before the regular season, he could still return to the Lakers’ G League affiliate. Watson could be eligible for a bonus of up to $91,000 if he is waived and then spends at least 60 days with the affiliate.
Lakers Continue Building Training Camp Roster
Los Angeles can carry as many as 21 players during training camp, giving the front office room to add more players before the team gets back on the practice floor.
Watson’s signing brings the Lakers’ reported training camp roster to 17 players, meaning more moves could come before camp begins after media day on Sept. 28.
The Lakers will eventually have to make some decisions. The roster must be trimmed before the regular season, with Los Angeles already facing a numbers crunch among its guaranteed players.
For Watson, the next few weeks represent another chance to show the Lakers what he can provide and potentially extend his stay within the organization.
