Ex-Celtics Forward Anton Watson’s Revenge Move to Knicks
Former Boston Celtics forward Anton Watson, who faced rejection from the reigning champions, is making a bold move that seems to be fueled by a mix of bitter revenge and opportunity. Watson, recently cut by the Celtics, is now set to join their Atlantic Division rivals, the New York Knicks, on a two-way contract.
Watson’s Transition to the Knicks
As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Anton Watson is set to join the New York Knicks on a two-way contract after clearing waivers. The decision was confirmed by his agents, Adie von Gontard and Daveed Cohen of Young Money APAA. The Knicks claimed Watson after he was let go by Boston, who initially drafted him as the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga.
Despite being signed to a two-way deal by the Celtics at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Watson had yet to make his NBA debut. Instead, he honed his skills with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, playing 37 games and starting 34. During this time, the 24-year-old forward averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, showcasing his potential on the court.
New Additions to the Knicks Roster
In a strategic move, the New York Knicks released two-way forwards Matt Ryan and Jacob Toppin to make room for Anton Watson and former Milwaukee Bucks player MarJon Beauchamp. The timing was crucial, as Tuesday marked the deadline for NBA teams to sign new two-way players, making Watson’s acquisition a last-minute decision for the Knicks.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics swiftly moved to replace Watson by signing forward Miles Norris from the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle to a two-way deal. Norris, known for his scoring prowess with averages of 17.1 points and 5 rebounds, aims to make an impact with the Celtics moving forward.
Eastern Conference Standings
As the Knicks and Celtics navigate their roster changes, they find themselves in a tight race in the Eastern Conference standings. With Boston holding the second seed at 43-18 and New York close behind as the third seed at 40-20, both teams are gearing up for a competitive push towards the playoffs.
The rivalry between these two Atlantic Division foes is heating up, setting the stage for an intense showdown as the NBA season progresses. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
