The Los Angeles Lakers gave up two unprotected first-round draft picks and a pair of pick swaps in order to complete a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler. They also handed out a four-year, $130 million contract to the shot-blocking specialist.
If a recent report proves true, that's the cost they would've had to pay for previously rumored free agency target Peyton Watson. Suffice it to say, the Lakers made the right call to look elsewhere.
Watson is a captivating young talent who defends at an elite level, creates offense, and spaces the floor. For a Lakers team in need of 3-and-D wings and shot creators, that seemingly made him a perfect fit.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Nuggets are reportedly asking for "compensation on par with" the price the Lakers paid for Kessler in any potential Watson sign-and-trade.
"That said, whether it's the Hawks or the Clippers or any other suitor, sources maintain that the Nuggets are seeking compensation on par with what Utah received from the Lakers in their recent sign-and-trade swap that made Walker Kessler a Laker."
Watson is an undeniably talented and promising young player, but the Lakers made the right choice by prioritizing Walker Kessler and depth over pursuing Watson.
Nuggets want what Lakers paid for Walker Kessler in Peyton Watson S&T
Watson, who will turn 24 in September, could've been a transformative player for the Lakers. In 2025-26, he averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, 0.9 steals, and 1.5 three-point field goals made on .491/.411/.730 shooting.
Watson also ranked in the 97th percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 92nd percentile in off-ball chaser defense, per Basketball Index.
For as great as Watson was, there's simply no way around how the cost of acquiring him would've left the Lakers with an untenable path to building a balanced roster. They desperately needed an interior anchor who could play starting-caliber minutes while protecting the paint and controlling the glass.
Said players are difficult to come by and expensive to acquire, meaning a trade for Watson could've deprived Los Angeles of the necessary resources to adequately address its weakest position.
Yes, Watson would've been a valuable signee, but context is also essential. Los Angeles already has two star-caliber perimeter players in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and it therefore doesn't necessarily need to place a $30-plus million wager on a talent with a limited sample size of success along the wings.
Furthermore, though Kessler missed 77 games in 2025-26, he was generally healthy through his first three seasons and thus offered a strong sample size of success in his role. Watson, meanwhile, never offered volume in any area of the game until 2025-26—when he only made 54 appearances.
Watson may very well deliver yet another big season in 2026-27, but for the Lakers' needs and roster construction, he wasn't worth the cost they would've had to pay.
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