Welcome to Boston Anton Watson

[Alleyoopster]

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/anton-watson-is-this-years-skeleton

If I ever have to apply for a job, I may ask Rowan Kent, the person who wrote the article (linked above), to write my resume. For much of the article one might believe Brad selected a lottery player, not someone drafted late in the second round.

According to Rowan, it seems Anton can do it all - shoots at a high percentage, he's very good defensibly, has a good eye for rebounding, timely passing, great inside game and most importantly - he's a winner!

In his rather lengthy analysis, he compares Anton's game to a skeleton key that can open multiple doors. Near the end of this piece he delves into some of his weaknesses. However, most of what he says is quite positive.

Who knows we may have found a replacement for Oshae.   

[libermaniac]

Thank you. ESPN didn?t even show highlights of this guy because they were too busy slobbering over LeBron and his nepotism.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Posted in the other thread, but worth a share here.

Watson is somewhat reminiscent to me of Brandon Clarke. He'll come into the league a full year older than Clarke.

They measured the same height, but Watson (7') has 4 inches on Clarke's wingspan (6'8"). Watson also has almost 30 pounds on Clarke when they were drafted. Watson also Clarke's verticals were significantly more than Watson (8", but some of that may have been due to training).

Watson showed more passing/playmaking than Clarke, as well as more shooting, but they both played a similar role in the Gonzaga system, playing next to very similar players in Tillie and Timme. Clarke's probably a better/more electric finisher, but Watson showed more ball-handling and outside abilities.

[Who]

Brad said guys in the first half of the second round expect 4yr deals and guys in the second half expect a two way contract. So presumably this guy will be a two way contract, yes?

[vjcsmoke]

Yup Watson is probably gonna get a 2 way deal. He projects to be a defensive energy big at 6'8 with 7 foot wingspan who can switch and guard 3-5. 

He's also the 2nd all time Gonzaga steal leader behind only HOF guard John Stockton. I don't expect a lot offensively but if he can bring the defensive energy he can probably carve out a role. Maybe he can be a cheaper alternative to Tillman.

Just watched his highlights. He uses his size well against smaller defenders and looks like a pretty good rim runner. Better athleticism than I expected. If he can continue to develop that 3 point shot, he could be a real find.

Highlight reel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w-t0LueEFo

Surprising college stats:
14.5 PPG, 57.8% FG, 41.3% 3P, 65.3% FT, 7.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, .7 BPG

For a big, the blocks per game is not very high despite the 7 ft wingspan.  The low FT percentage suggests his shooting form is probably not great.  But he takes high percentage shots from the field and makes them at a good rate so if he can get to his spot he could be efficient on offense.

[Vermont Green]

Brad said guys in the first half of the second round expect 4yr deals and guys in the second half expect a two way contract. So presumably this guy will be a two way contract, yes?

I hadn't heard this rule of thumb but Davison was pick 53, got a 2-way.  Walsh was pick 38, got a regular contract.  Now Watson is pick 54, so seems reasonable to expect a 2-way, unless he really surprises in summer league or camp.  How does it work if the Celtics offer a 2-way but he declines?  Can he become a FA or would he have to play in Europe or something?

I feel like we are going to have enough (quote) prospects (unquote) on the roster as it is.  Walsh and Scheierman are prospects.  Queta, if retained, is mostly a prospect.  Springer may not be anything more than a prospect (but there is a decent chance that Springer will be more than just a prospect).  Watson would be another prospect.  We can't afford that many.  2 maybe 3 prospects or mostly prospects are OK, but we need proven reliable vets.  We can not fill up the end of the roster with prospects that won't be ready/able to play for a couple of seasons at best.

Better if Watson is a 2-way.  You can always convert him later if he surprises.

[BitterJim]

Brad said guys in the first half of the second round expect 4yr deals and guys in the second half expect a two way contract. So presumably this guy will be a two way contract, yes?

I hadn't heard this rule of thumb but Davison was pick 53, got a 2-way.  Walsh was pick 38, got a regular contract.  Now Watson is pick 54, so seems reasonable to expect a 2-way, unless he really surprises in summer league or camp.  How does it work if the Celtics offer a 2-way but he declines?  Can he become a FA or would he have to play in Europe or something?

I feel like we are going to have enough (quote) prospects (unquote) on the roster as it is.  Walsh and Scheierman are prospects.  Queta, if retained, is mostly a prospect.  Springer may not be anything more than a prospect (but there is a decent chance that Springer will be more than just a prospect).  Watson would be another prospect.  We can't afford that many.  2 maybe 3 prospects or mostly prospects are OK, but we need proven reliable vets.  We can not fill up the end of the roster with prospects that won't be ready/able to play for a couple of seasons at best.

Better if Watson is a 2-way.  You can always convert him later if he surprises.

The Celtics hold the rights to any players they select in the draft until 1 year after the draft, so we are the only ones that can sign him unless someone traded for his rights first.

That one year also gets reset whenever they are under contract with another pro league, so if he went and played overseas we would still retain his rights until he came back to the US or took a year off. If we only offer a 2-way (which I expect), then he doesn't have many options

[Celtics2021]

Brad said guys in the first half of the second round expect 4yr deals and guys in the second half expect a two way contract. So presumably this guy will be a two way contract, yes?

I hadn't heard this rule of thumb but Davison was pick 53, got a 2-way.  Walsh was pick 38, got a regular contract.  Now Watson is pick 54, so seems reasonable to expect a 2-way, unless he really surprises in summer league or camp.  How does it work if the Celtics offer a 2-way but he declines?  Can he become a FA or would he have to play in Europe or something?

I feel like we are going to have enough (quote) prospects (unquote) on the roster as it is.  Walsh and Scheierman are prospects.  Queta, if retained, is mostly a prospect.  Springer may not be anything more than a prospect (but there is a decent chance that Springer will be more than just a prospect).  Watson would be another prospect.  We can't afford that many.  2 maybe 3 prospects or mostly prospects are OK, but we need proven reliable vets.  We can not fill up the end of the roster with prospects that won't be ready/able to play for a couple of seasons at best.

Better if Watson is a 2-way.  You can always convert him later if he surprises.

If the Celtics heard from his agent that he wasn?t going to accept a 2-way, they wouldn?t have drafted him.  One of the things you are permitted negotiate with potential picks in the pre-draft process is where they?ll play, and so to get onto the Celtics draft board at 54 you would have had to agree to a 2-way in advance.  Sure, a player and agent could renege, but that?s probably a good way to end your NBA career before it begins.

[keevsnick]

From the ringer:

PLUSES

    He?s an excellent at-rim finisher using either hand and has the ability to absorb contact. He can post up, although in the NBA he?d be most useful as a cutter, screener, and offensive rebounder.

    Are his flashes of shooting potential for real? He?s long had soft touch on floaters and hook shots, so despite a low free-throw percentage and the fact that he?s made only 30.7 percent of his 3s, maybe his future success is more dependent on revising his mechanics and improving his confidence than on his natural touch.

    Good decision-maker who limits his mistakes. Gonzaga used him to bust zones, and his NBA team will be able to use him in handoff situations.

    Versatile defender who spent time defending everyone from Zach Edey to scoring wings to small guards. Even though he?s quite large, he moves like a wing himself when navigating screens, so he should have positional range at the next level, too.

    Talented rim protector thanks to his feel, fundamentals, and length.

MINUSES

    Lacks creation ability as a ball handler.

    He?s a bit undersized as a traditional rim protector if that?s the position a team requires him to play.

KOC had him #61 on his board. The way I'd summarize this guy is he seems like a versatile defender with excellent forward size who has shown flashes of shooting on low volume. Can defend wings, could be small-ball center option. If the shooter is real he could be a future role player. Worth a flier.

Its interesting whether he'll be a two way or guaranteed. Initially I thought "oh, he's a two way for sure," but he's also old for a prospect and so he COULD be a guy you sign for a rookie minimum to save money at the back end of the roster. Last year several teams like Pho, Mil and GSW drafted guys at the back of the second round and gave them guarantied contracts for that very reason. He strikes me as similar in some ways to Tillman.

[CFAN38]

Let me just say I love the draft and it becomes a weird thing that occupies my thoughts for a couple months every year. This was a draft that I came into having not watched nearly as many college bball games as I usually do. This was because I was coaching a ton of youth games and found myself watching a lot more womens games.

I say all this because my big board ended up ending with 44 prospects. There are players who I didn't do much research on and just left them off my board. AJ Johnson was the only 1st rd pick I picked have in my top 44.

Thats brings me to Watson, I left him off my board and aside from a few hype piece articles I read on him did zero research on him. In hind-site that was a mistake. Has I built my board out to my typical top 60 I would have probably started out with Watson in the 55-60 range but diving into him he would have cracked my top 45.

I like his size at 6'7.5" without shoes he is 1/2" shorter than AL and the same height as Tillman. His 7' wingspan is 3/4" shorter than AL's. He was 233lbs at this years G-league combine down from the previous years combine where he was 241lbs with the worst BF% out of any one in attendance. Even with the weight loss he is heavier than Ware, Missi, and Sarr who all project as centers. I point out all of this because I always viewed Watson as a wing but its clear to me now that the team is planning on using him as a big and at almost 6'9 (in shoes), 233lbs, with a 7' wingspan he likely has just enough size to play the position. As a big his passing, screening, and perimeter are all elite. If he can get stronger and fit a consistent top of the key/corner 3 there is a path for Watson to become a rotational piece. At the very least out of the gate he allows the Maine to run a the same sets as the Cs with Watson playing the Horford role.           

[No Nickname]

Watson is 6'7-1/2" barefoot, 235lbs.

Al Horford is 6'8" barefoot, 240lbs. 

Tatum is 6'7-1/2" barefoot, 210lbs.

Watson comps well as an Al Horford replacement.

[footey]

Watson is 6'7-1/2" barefoot, 235lbs.

Al Horford is 6'8" barefoot, 240lbs. 

Tatum is 6'7-1/2" barefoot, 210lbs.

Watson comps well as an Al Horford replacement.

Has similar wingspan to Al too, right? About 7'? [Edit: I see CFAN38 already mentioned that Al's wingspan slightly longer]

[Roy H.]

Anton Watson?s first name was mispronounced and he got only a brief mention from ESPN?s draft analysts before they quickly shifted their attention to the 55th overall pick, used by the Los Angeles Lakers on USC?s Bronny James, the oldest son of NBA star LeBron James. ?I think the last 10 picks they were talking about Bronny,? Watson said. ?You don?t try to focus on that, but that definitely puts a chip on your shoulder. That?s crazy, I think it?s a little bit crazy.?

Use it as motivation, big man.

Full interview:  https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jun/27/gonzagas-anton-watson-selected-by-reigning-champio/

[No Nickname]

Let me just say I love the draft and it becomes a weird thing that occupies my thoughts for a couple months every year. This was a draft that I came into having not watched nearly as many college bball games as I usually do. This was because I was coaching a ton of youth games and found myself watching a lot more womens games.

I say all this because my big board ended up ending with 44 prospects. There are players who I didn't do much research on and just left them off my board. AJ Johnson was the only 1st rd pick I picked have in my top 44.

Thats brings me to Watson, I left him off my board and aside from a few hype piece articles I read on him did zero research on him. In hind-site that was a mistake. Has I built my board out to my typical top 60 I would have probably started out with Watson in the 55-60 range but diving into him he would have cracked my top 45.

I like his size at 6'7.5" without shoes he is 1/2" shorter than AL and the same height as Tillman. His 7' wingspan is 3/4" shorter than AL's. He was 233lbs at this years G-league combine down from the previous years combine where he was 241lbs with the worst BF% out of any one in attendance. Even with the weight loss he is heavier than Ware, Missi, and Sarr who all project as centers. I point out all of this because I always viewed Watson as a wing but its clear to me now that the team is planning on using him as a big and at almost 6'9 (in shoes), 233lbs, with a 7' wingspan he likely has just enough size to play the position. As a big his passing, screening, and perimeter are all elite. If he can get stronger and fit a consistent top of the key/corner 3 there is a path for Watson to become a rotational piece. At the very least out of the gate he allows the Maine to run a the same sets as the Cs with Watson playing the Horford role.         

CFan38, I literally just read this post now.  I started my post right below it before yours hit my screen, and didn't realize that I basically said the same thing as you re: Anton's measurements making him an Al Horford comp.

Jinx!

TP to you!

[Goldstar88]

Watson went from shooting 33% from 3pt last season to 41% this year. That?s impressive. Looks like Joe I was targeting 3pt shooters in the draft.