Lakers sign Anton Watson and Nate Williams – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Anton Watson and guard Nate Williams.

In corresponding moves, the team has waived guard Tevian Jones and forward Eric Dixon.

Watson (6’8”, 225) most recently appeared in nine games for the New York Knicks during the 2024-25 season. The 24-year-old also saw action in 37 games (34 starts) with the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League last season, averaging 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.9 minutes. Originally selected by the Boston Celtics with the 54th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Watson played five seasons at Gonzaga University (2019-24). In his final collegiate campaign, he earned All-WCC First Team honors after averaging 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals in 31.3 minutes.

Williams (6’5”, 205) appeared in 20 games for the Houston Rockets in 2024-25, averaging 3.3 points in 7.4 minutes. Across three NBA seasons with Houston (2023-25) and the Portland Trail Blazers (2022-23), the 26-year-old has played in 47 games (four starts), averaging 3.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 8.6 minutes. In three NBA G League seasons with Rio Grande Valley (2023-25) and Salt Lake City (2022-23), Williams has appeared in 82 games (62 starts), averaging 14.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.5 minutes. A native of New York, he played four seasons at the University at Buffalo (2018-22) and earned All-MAC First Team honors as a senior after averaging 19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.6 minutes.