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Anton Watson's Lakers Stay Lasted One Day, Then Two More Names Arrived

Exhibit 10 turnover keeps churning camp as the roster edges toward its final cuts.

Luka DončićLast season: 33.5 pts, 8.3 ast, 7.7 reb over 64 games
By the Lakers Nightly Desk · Saturday, September 19

Anton Watson joined the Lakers on September 18 and was gone by September 19, waived to clear room for Exhibit 10 deals with Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross, per Law Murray of Hoops Rumors. The moves leave camp unsettled with the regular season opener against the Warriors still a month out.

Luka Dončić of the Lakers
Luka Dončić. Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

One Day In, One Out

Watson signed on September 18 and was off the roster the next day, waived as Los Angeles brought in Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross on Exhibit 10 contracts. Lakers Nation's Daniel Starkand confirmed the waive alongside the two new deals, the latest turn in a camp that keeps adding and shedding names before a single exhibition game tips off.

Preseason Countdown

The exhibition slate opens October 5 at Sacramento, followed by a trip to Golden State on October 6, a home date with the Kings on ESPN2 October 8 and the Warriors again October 13. JJ Redick gets four preseason looks to sort this crowded camp before the regular season opener October 21, hosting Golden State on ESPN.

The Number to Watch

The books already sit at $201.3M, above the $200.4M tax line, with Dončić's $49.8M salary the largest figure on the roster, trailed by Reaves at $41.2M and Kessler at $30.2M. Which of the newest Exhibit 10 signees survives the cut to 15 remains the open question camp still has to answer.

Did the Lakers waive Anton Watson?

Yes, Watson left the roster on September 19, one day after signing, as the Lakers added Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross on Exhibit 10 deals, per Law Murray of Hoops Rumors.

When do the Lakers open the 2026-27 season?

Los Angeles opens the regular season October 21 at home against the Warriors on ESPN, after four preseason games beginning October 5.

By the Lakers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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