There has been plenty of talk about players the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been targeting on the trade market as the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches. But now, there is a report about one player they could end up targeting in free agency after the conclusion of this season.
Depending on what players such as Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and, of course, LeBron James, decide to do this summer, the Lakers could have tens of millions of dollars of salary cap space to work with. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, they’re looking to go after the Denver Nuggets‘ Peyton Watson in free agency.
“It must be said, though, that rival executives are increasingly curious about Denver’s likely struggles to retain Peyton Watson this summer given the fourth-year swingman’s recent breakout play amid all of the Nuggets’ health woes. We’ll certainly be tracking this situation over the coming months, since Watson’s restricted free agency is already shaping up to become a major domino of the offseason.
“Sources say teams that are projected to have cap space — notably such as the Lakers — are already preparing interest.”
Everyone knows the Lakers are after at least one 3-and-D player, and Watson seems to fit that description. At 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds, he can play up to three different positions, and he’s averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds, one steal and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 41.6% from 3-point range this season.
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Watson’s playing time and production have steadily increased over the last couple of years, and at age 23, his timeline could line up very well with that of Luka Doncic.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers reportedly interested in signing Peyton Watson this summer