It’s no secret that Peyton Watson would be a big-time addition to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
The 6-foot-8 Denver Nuggets guard is having the best season of his young career, proving his worth as a valuable three-and-D contributor. Watson is averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game this season, shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point land.
According to an offseason rumor from ESPN, the Lakers could position themselves to sign the 23-year-old in the offseason.
“The Lakers have also privately discussed restricted free agents Tari Eason and Peyton Watson, and could land the latter if Denver, which already has $215 million in salary committed to returning players for next season, doesn’t match the offer sheet,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported Tuesday.
Many were unsure of what to make of Watson entering the 2022 NBA Draft. After all, the former five-star recruit only contributed 3.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game during his lone season with the Bruins, shooting 32.2% from the field and 22.6% from deep.
Fast forward to the latter half of the 2025-26 season, and it’s clear the Nuggets knew what they traded for the former No. 3o overall pick on draft night. Watson’s hamstring strain should be viewed as a minor setback, as the 2021 McDonald’s All-American has the tools necessary to pick up where he left off on the hardwood.
Watson is a player the Lakers should think highly of this summer.
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