Lakers named landing spot for $11 million Nuggets breakout star

Lakers named landing spot for $11 million Nuggets breakout star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers are somewhat in the danger zone after their second-round playoff exit. 

Failing to land an ideal lob threat for Luka Doncic or a complementary three-and-D wing could spell doom for a Lakers squad hoping to return to the promised land for the first time since 2020. 

Signing the Denver Nuggets’ 23-year-old breakout star would be a positive start, according to ClutchPoints’ Bailey Bassett.

“Peyton Watson seems primed to be one of the most highly paid free agents this offseason," Bassett wrote Tuesday.

“If the Lakers can afford him, he'd be a great target to pursue. The 2025-26 season was a breakout one for Watson. He continued to provide help-side rim protection and elite point-of-attack defense, but he really emerged as an offensive threat, too.” 

“The forward who averaged just 3.3 points per game at UCLA averaged 14.6 this season for the Denver Nuggets. He was regularly above 20 points per game during a stretch where Nikola Jokic was sidelined, too, proving Watson can take on a bigger offensive role going forward for whichever team he suits up for.”

It isn’t far-fetched to suggest Watson made himself a lot of money this season. The UCLA product’s stellar play during the regular season indicates he didn’t waste a prime opportunity to prove his worth with several Nuggets wings nursing significant injuries. 

Watson found his stroke from beyond the arc and was a pesky on-ball defender all year long, resulting in a standout 14.6-point, 4.9-rebound, 1.1-block, and 0.9-steal campaign. The Lakers would significantly bolster their wing depth by signing the former first-round pick in free agency. 

However, Los Angeles will face their fair share of obstacles in landing Watson, as several organizations, including the Nuggets, will offer fierce competition for the 6-foot-8 forward.

It remains to be seen if the Lakers will be up for the challenge.

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