Paul Watson fills a big OKC Thunder void as the 3 and D specialist

Watson endured a  tough season of injury and bad luck

Unfortunately, coincidental factors delayed that process. First, the Raptors were relegated to Tampa Bay which threw off the entire team as they played all 72 games feeling like the road team often having to deal with visitors garnering more cheers.

Additionally, the forward suffered from bouts of injury and just as he started to get back in form got hit by COVID-19. After his last injury, there was no reason to rush him back as the Raptors were actively tanking to finish the season in an effort to improve their draft position.

Through the first 20 games, the Fresno State alum got into nine games but only played over five minutes twice. Then the Raptors went on a winning streak climbing to fourth in the East and Nurse stuck primarily with his core during this stretch. Just as Toronto was turning a corner the team (both coaching staff and players) were ravaged by COVID-19 losing nine games in a row.

Missing the majority of their core for approximately 20 days Toronto plummeted down the standings. Watson played in 10 consecutive games during this stretch but often with G-League or end of bench rosters.  Then as Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Kyle Lowry returned, Watson tested positive for the virus forcing him to miss the next 10 games.

Finally, healthy he returned to the court and became one of 10 Raptors who garnered a 30-point outing this past season. It was a career-best for Watson. The next game featured the OKC Thunder where the forward went scoreless and it was learned after the game he had injured his knee. He missed the remainder of the year.

Dissecting that 30-point effort offers insight into his capabilities and why the OKC Thunder should be excited about his potential. In scored 20 of the 30 points in one quarter and couldn’t miss from behind the arc. Watson finished the night shooting 8 of 11 from the perimeter for a blistering 72.7 percent efficiency. And didn’t force up shots garnering his 30 points on just 13 shots. Moreover, the forward played only 25:38 collecting four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block highlighting his full set of skills.