The Washington Wizards have signed forward Jamir Watkins to a standard NBA contract, the team announced today.
Watkins, a 6-foot-7, 219-pound forward, was selected 43rd overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2025 NBA Draft before being acquired by Washington on draft night. The move converts him from a two-way deal and signals the organization’s confidence in the young forward’s development.
In 30 games this season, including four starts, Jamir Watkins is averaging 5.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. While those numbers may not jump off the stat sheet, his impact on the defensive end has been hard to ignore. He has recorded multiple steals in six games this season and has notched at least one steal in 13 of his last 16 appearances, establishing himself as one of Washington’s more reliable perimeter defenders on a roster still finding its identity.
When his number was called at the G League level, Watkins delivered. In nine games with the Capital City Go-Go, he averaged 13.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, production that made a strong case for exactly the kind of roster move Washington made official today.
A Trenton, New Jersey native, Jamir Watkins played four collegiate seasons, splitting his time between Virginia Commonwealth University and Florida State. He finished his career on a high note, earning All-ACC Second Team honors during his senior season in 2025.
At just 21, Watkins represents the kind of two-way development piece rebuilding teams covet, a player whose defensive instincts and athleticism give him a clear path to carving out a role in this league. For a Wizards team in the middle of a rebuild, locking him in on a standard contract is a low-risk, high-upside move worth watching.
Double Take Sports caught up with Watkins the day after being drafted for an in-depth conversation about his journey, his game, and what’s next. Watch the full interview below.