The Los Angeles Lakers have received a steady stream of criticism in the weeks since they acquired Walker Kessler for a mountain of a price. They paid him $130 million over four seasons and sent the Utah Jazz two unprotected first-round draft picks and a pair of pick swaps to complete a sign-and-trade.
Vindication continues to arrive on schedule, however, as the Denver Nuggets have proven Los Angeles would've had to pay an almost identical price for another known target: Restricted free agent Peyton Watson.
Los Angeles was linked to Kessler and Watson in the weeks and months leading up to free agency. The dream would've been to land both, of course, but a new report may reveal why it was only Kessler whom the Lakers signed—and how fair the price they paid may have been based on the demands of the market.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Nuggets are hoping to receive two first-round draft picks or equivalent value to such a return in any potential sign-and-trade for Watson.
"Sources say Denver is still holding out for the equivalent of at least two first-round picks in any sign-and-trade in which it loses Watson."
Though Watson is a talented young player with significant two-way potential, the asking price has vindicated the Lakers for prioritizing Kessler—if not the price they paid for him entirely.
Nuggets' Peyton Watson asking price vindicates L.A. for Walker Kessler
If Fischer's report proves true, then the Lakers would've needed to part with "at least two first-round picks" in a move for Watson. Though it's unclear if they would've also needed to throw in the pick swaps they gave Utah, there's a baseline offer at play that reveals how costly the endeavor would've been.
With that in mind, the question is simple: Was it more important for the Lakers to find an interior anchor or a 3-and-D wing?
Though the importance of athletic wings who can defend and shoot simply can't be minimized, winning without a high-level center is an almost impossible task in this era. The past four NBA champions have proven as much with Nikola Jokic, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, and Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson down low.
The Lakers, meanwhile, entered the summer with a glaring need to improve over Deandre Ayton and no other centers on the roster.
Lakers needed a center more than they needed a wing at such a price
Furthermore, while Watson has potential, he averaged just 6.8 points on .472/.328/.673 shooting through his first three seasons. He also played a mere 54 games during his breakout campaign in year four, which poses a fair question about the legitimacy of his success—thus making Denver's asking price a risky one to meet.
Kessler clearly had injury issues of his own in 2025-26, but he's been a dominant shot-blocker and rebounder since his rookie season.
Furthermore, franchise player Luka Doncic made it abundantly clear that his top priority for the Lakers was to find an, "A-list center." Whether or not you feel the new Los Angeles big man fits the bill, Jalen Duren's disastrous postseason arguably made Kessler the top center on the market based on team needs, opportunity cost, and projected salary.
Even with all of this established, some might prefer Watson over Kessler. Knowing how limited the sample size of success was and how similar their asking prices are, however, the Lakers made the right choice to fill the void at center.
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