Los Angeles added two guards for training camp and waived Anton Watson shortly after signing him.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed guards Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross and waived forward Anton Watson as they continued assembling their training camp roster.
Both additions spent last season as regular starters in college. Johnson started all 32 games for South Carolina in 2025-26, averaging 17.2 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 31.4 minutes per game. Ross started all 32 games for Marquette, averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 steals in 33 minutes.
The Lakers did not announce contract terms in their release. RealGM reported that Johnson and Ross signed Exhibit 10 contracts, giving the team a chance to evaluate them as it prepares for its G League season.
Two different guards to evaluate
Johnson arrives with a scoring and playmaking record from his final college season. At 6-foot-2, his opportunity will depend on how well he can organize an offense, create shots and handle defensive assignments against professional guards.
Ross offers a different profile at 6-foot-5. His 2.3 steals per game at Marquette stand out, and his size gives the Lakers another perimeter defender to assess. Training camp will provide a closer look at whether those college strengths carry over against NBA competition.
Neither signing should be treated as a promise of a regular-season roster spot. Los Angeles already has established guards, including Dončić, Reaves, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy. The new arrivals will have to show what they can contribute within a crowded group.
Watson’s brief return
Watson’s release came shortly after the Lakers signed him a day before. The 6-foot-8 forward was already familiar with the organization, having played 50 games, including 34 starts, for the South Bay Lakers last season. He averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes.
Boston selected Watson with the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA draft after his five seasons at Gonzaga. His quick release from the NBA roster closes this brief stint, though RealGM reported he is expected to join the Lakers’ G League affiliate.
The moves show Los Angeles working through the edges of its camp roster. Johnson and Ross now have a chance to make an impression, while the harder decisions about the Lakers’ regular-season roster remain ahead.
