For all the talk of how difficult it is to pry away a restricted free agent from the team that holds their rights, Peyton Watson's situation with the Denver Nuggets stands out as different due to the massive deals on their books and the second apron looming large. The Los Angeles Lakers will be hoping that forces a deviation from the typical RFA story.
Watson gained some major attention this regular season after a serious leap in production for the Nuggets. His first double-digit scoring campaign at 14.6 points per game, with shooting splits of 49-41-73, immediately made him the type of player every team would want when factoring in his lengthy frame and well-utilized athleticism on the defensive end. Count the Lakers among that group.
Los Angeles has been connected to Watson for a while. The Nuggets wing perfectly fits the profile of the type of player who would slot in marvelously on the wings alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James.
With cap space at their disposal, the Lakers have the money to throw a big offer sheet at Watson. Some have suggested that could be a tactic to try and land Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun for cheap. However, the Lakers could just as easily stick to their guns and try to get the guy they should really want here.
Peyton Watson could take one more leap in Los Angeles
Acquiring either Braun or Johnson at a massive discount could have some upside for the Lakers. However, there is good reason the Nuggets would want to prioritize keeping Watson over one of the two. That should be the same reason Los Angeles likes him as the best option here.
Johnson's defensive ability has not matched the reputation that was created on that end at previous stops of his NBA path. Meanwhile, Braun struggled on the offensive side of the court right after signing a massive rookie-scale extension.
Assuming that Watson's 2025-26 production holds relatively steady, he is easily the most balanced two-way option of the Nuggets trio. The Lakers need that next season.
Los Angeles saw just how good an offense can be when Doncic has guys who can hit their shots. The Lakers would want an uptick in volume from Watson only shooting 3.6 attempts from deep per game. Those opportunities should be there with Luka creating easy perimeter looks. That hopefully means at least one additional leap in production on that end for the 23-year-old.
Being the perimeter defender who stabilizes the Lakers' concerns in that area would allow Watson's reputation to reach new heights. All the eyes that Los Angeles brings could spotlight his gifts.
The Lakers can hope to give Watson a home that solidifies him as a star in his role. The opportunity to play on such a large stage would elevate him to a regular household name, if all goes well.
Watson is well-regarded now after a successful stint with the Nuggets. He could be absolutely beloved on a whole new scale that Denver could not match by taking that success one step further in Los Angeles.
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