The Washington Wizards have agreed to an updated contract with another young piece within the last week.
The Washington Wizards have inked a new deal with another young player who has flashed through the 2025-26 season.
One week after re-signing Tristan Vukcevic to a new three year deal, the Wizards have reportedly agreed to a new two-year deal after proving to be a valuable piece in the Wizards rotation despite limited minutes.
Watkins joined the organization after being drafted with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, while he is averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 rebounds through the month of February. But it has been the defensive end of the floor where he has proven to be the team's best defender.
As a rookie, Watkins is also averaging 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per game, though he has posted double figures scoring in six consecutive appearances this month. The VCU and Florida State product has also shined on the defensive end of the floor after being tasked with routinely guarding the opponent's best player when on the floor.
Watkins set a career high with five steals in the Jan. 24 road loss against the Charlotte Hornets, adding two blocks as well, while he's registered four games in February alone with either multiple blocks or steals within a game.
How much bigger of a role Watkins takes on in the future could be contingent on his offensive development, but it has remained clear through his rookie season that Watkins has carved out a distinct path to playing time as a Wizard.
“I just call him a stone-faced killer. Doesn’t change his expression," Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards' G League affiliate, head coach Cody Toppert said of Watkins. "If this dude won the lottery, he wouldn’t change his expression. On his birthday, he’s not changing his expression. I think that’s part of what makes him great, that he can remain even-keeled and still have a killer mindset."
Over his last six games, Watkins is averaging 13.2 points per game while shooting 47.8% from the floor, capitalizing on the expanded role and flashing his offensive arsenal in the process.
With the updated contract now announced, the Wizards now have an open two-way spot with both Sharife Cooper and Leaky Black filling two of the three spots, paving the way for general manager Will Dawkins to make another move through the final 25 games of the 2025-26 regular season.