The Los Angeles Lakers managed to secure their center of the future when they brought in Walker Kessler. Why not solidify the starting wing spot next to Luka Doncic and add Peyton Watson, too?
Admittedly, finding a way to land Watson at this stage would be a bit of a pipe dream. However, there is at least a crack of an opening that should have the Lakers thinking it is not entirely impossible. That hope arrived after Sam Amick's latest rumor mill report on the restricted free agency of the Denver Nuggets wing.
Amick explained the Nuggets would be matching any offer sheets for the restricted free agents, should those come in after the NBA's moratorium lifts. However, that does not guarantee his long-term future in Denver completely. The franchise would be open to Watson's exit, under the right circumstances.
"The Nuggets and Watson’s agent ... remain apart in contract negotiations, the sources told The Athletic, and Denver is open to a sign-and-trade for the 23-year-old forward. ... Several teams are known to have registered interest in a sign-and-trade for Watson. "
A Peyton Watson sign-and-trade is worth exploring for the Lakers
For transparency's sake, let us be abundantly clear about the obvious here: a sign-and-trade for Watson would be difficult for the Lakers. However, nothing is accomplished without trying.
The Lakers surrendered the vast majority of flexibility regarding future draft capital when they landed Kessler in a sign-and-trade from the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles would need to hope second-round picks can prove enticing enough in this one.
The Jaden Hardy trade helped the Lakers secure two second rounders from the Washington Wizards. That would undoubtedly need to be packaged together with their own lone selection in 2033 to provide some semblance of draft capital in a potential sign-and-trade.
If the Nuggets are willing to go for that, plus some combination of contracts the Lakers are able to put together, they should push forward.
Watson would be an excellent fit in Los Angeles. Few Lakers fans, if any, need convincing of that idea.
The lengthy defender is exactly the type of two-way force who should thrive on a team with Doncic as the leading man. The Lakers' options to fill that void are otherwise quite uninspiring. Watson towers over any of the options available via unrestricted free agency.
Stealing the Nuggets wing is a long shot, no doubt. The Lakers get nothing by sitting on their hands and not even trying, though.
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