Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, Lakers
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Christian Braun and Peyton Watson of the Denver Nuggets celebrate after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ search for a long-term 3-and-D wing may extend into the offseason — and a breakout player on a Western Conference rival has moved firmly onto their radar.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Lakers are among the teams preparing to pursue Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson as he approaches restricted free agency.
“It must be said, though, that rival executives are increasingly curious about Denver’s likely struggles to retain Peyton Watson this summer given the fourth-year swingman’s recent breakout play amid all of the Nuggets’ health woes,” Fischer wrote Wednesday in The Stein Line. “We’ll certainly be tracking this situation over the coming months, since Watson’s restricted free agency is already shaping up to become a major domino of the offseason.
“Sources say teams that are projected to have cap space — notably such as the Lakers — are already preparing interest.”
That combination of opportunity and fit places Los Angeles squarely in the mix.
Peyton Watson Has Long Been on Lakers’ Radar
Peyton Watson, Austin Reaves, Lakers
GettyAustin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Peyton Watson of the Denver Nuggets.
This is not the first time Watson’s name has surfaced in Lakers-related discussions.
Earlier this month, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin included Watson among a broad group of perimeter options the Lakers could explore as they seek defensive versatility and shooting on the wing.
“They need help on the perimeter,” McMenamin wrote. “A guy like Jonathan Kuminga, maybe he could be someone the Lakers could pursue. Maybe Andrew Wiggins in Miami. Someone like Keon Ellis in Sacramento, De’Andre Hunter, Peyton Watson. The list goes on and on.”
Watson’s recent play has only strengthened his case.
Breakout Role Amid Nuggets’ Injury Woes
Denver has managed to stay afloat during Nikola Jokić’s extended absence, posting a 9–6 record without the three-time NBA MVP. One of the primary reasons for that stability has been Watson’s emergence.
The 2022 first-round pick has taken on a significantly expanded role, averaging 22.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists over his last 14 games. During Denver’s 9–6 stretch without Jokić, Watson has been highly efficient, shooting 48.7% from the field and 43.4% from three-point range.
At 6-foot-8 with length, defensive versatility and improving perimeter shooting, Watson fits the modern wing archetype the Lakers have prioritized around Luka Dončić.
Nuggets’ Salary Crunch Complicates Retention
Watson’s breakout comes at a difficult financial moment for Denver.
Denver already has nearly $186 million committed to five players, putting the Nuggets well over the projected $166 million salary cap before filling out the rest of the roster. With additional contracts pushing payroll past $206 million, re-signing Watson at market value would likely send Denver into the second apron, triggering severe roster-building restrictions, including limits on aggregating contracts in trades.
Those restrictions would significantly limit Denver’s flexibility and mirror challenges the franchise has worked to avoid, including last offseason’s decision to trade Michael Porter Jr. to preserve maneuverability.
Lakers’ Cap Space Creates Clear Path
Los Angeles, by contrast, is positioned very differently.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Lakers could have as much as $50 million in cap room this offseason. Spotrac’s Keith Smith projected in January that the Lakers could approach $55 million in space — or even exceed $60 million — depending on roster decisions, including renouncing free agents and the status of player options.
That financial flexibility gives the Lakers a rare opportunity to aggressively pursue a young, ascending wing without relying on complicated trade structures.
Watson Looms as Key Offseason Domino
For Denver, Watson’s restricted free agency looms as a difficult decision amid escalating payroll pressure. For the Lakers, it represents a chance to address one of their most persistent roster needs with a player entering his prime.
As Fischer noted, league executives are already watching the situation closely.
If the Nuggets are unable to match outside offers without triggering punitive apron penalties, Watson could emerge as one of the most impactful role players to change teams this offseason — and the Lakers appear ready to be at the front of the line.