The Los Angeles Lakers have spent an overwhelming period of time failing to meet the modern standards for athleticism, youth, and defense in their rotation. It's been a steady source of discontent among Lakers fans who have been eager to see the team invest its resources in a sustainable product.
Thankfully, a recent rumor seems to indicate that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers are finally prioritizing those very elements in their approach to the 2026 period of free agency.
Los Angeles has overcome its flaws to approach the final third of the 2025-26 season at 33-21. Unfortunately, it ranks No. 23 in defensive rating, ranks dead last in average speed on the defensive end of the floor, and has consistently struggled to contain athletic wing scorers.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers have privately expressed interest in two 2026 restricted free agents who could help resolve those issues: Tari Eason and Peyton Watson.
"The Lakers have also privately discussed restricted free agents Tari Eason and Peyton Watson, sources told ESPN, 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."
It's a refreshing development and seemingly a sign of Pelinka finally realizing how important youth, length, athleticism, and defense are along the wings.
Lakers finally prioritizing youth, athleticism, and defense in free agency
Eason, 24, and Watson, 23, are fascinating pending free agents for a multitude of reasons. Chief among them is the fact that they play for teams that have limited financial flexibility and may ultimately have a cap on how much they're willing to spend to re-sign their coveted up-and-comers.
Though Eason's Houston Rockets and Watson's Denver Nuggets still reserve the right to match any offer sheet that's extended, the Lakers have at least somewhat realistic odds of making a splash.
Eason certainly fits what the team needs on offense as a career 37.6 percent shooter who's burying an obscene 46.0 percent of his attempts in 2025-26. He's also an elite wing stopper who ranks in the 88th percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 81st percentile in off-ball chaser defense, per Basketball Index.
For a Lakers team that ranks No. 20 in three-point field goal percentage and No. 29 in points allowed per game via forwards, Eason would be a dream acquisition.
Lakers reportedly interested in 2026 RFAs Tari Eason, Peyton Watson
Watson, meanwhile, is in the midst of a leap to two-way stardom. He's averaged 21.5 points, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game in 19 appearances since New Year's Eve, and ranks in the 98th percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 96th percentile in off-ball chaser defense.
In Los Angeles, the hope would seemingly be that Watson could be the two-way force Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves need to help give the perimeter a more cohesive structure.
Even if the Lakers are unable to sign Eason or Watson, however, their intentions are nothing short of encouraging. They've clearly made it a priority to improve the depth, athleticism, and defensive proficiency along the wings, with an emphasis seemingly being placed on defending at the point of attack.
If Los Angeles holds to this strategy and successfully bolsters the rotation with quality players who fit the bill, winning a title during the Doncic era will instantly become a more realistic endeavor.