The Boston Celtics have prioritized renewing the contracts of everyone from last season’s championship roster. However, this doesn’t faze Anton Watson, the team’s second-round pick (54th overall) from this year’s NBA draft.
Watson spent five seasons with the Gonzaga Bulldogs before getting his shot at the NBA, impressing during the Summer League. Now that the Las Vegas exhibition games are over, the 23-year-old awaits a two-way contract from the Celtics, which he expects soon.
“I think we’re gonna figure that out probably sometime this week,” Watson said Monday, per CLNS Media. “But yeah, those conversations will definitely come.” Watson added: “I felt good overall. The whole Summer League just kind of seeing how it feels and playing at this level of pace, the strength you gotta have and just felt good overall. I felt like I played good.”
Playing alongside other roster hopefuls, Watson made five Summer League appearances for the Celtics, averaging 11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and one block in 24.4 minutes. He also shot 51.1% from the field (on nine shot attempts), 35% from 3-point range, and 85.7% from the free-throw line, finishing with a 15-point performance in Monday night’s 103-98 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Watson was notably active and athletic on both ends of the floor, making it difficult for opponents to score. His two-way versatility, which has drawn comparisons to Al Horford, could earn Watson some NBA minutes this upcoming season, especially if Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla decides to get creative.
