Lakers free agent targets, Lakers free agency, Lakers offseason salary cap space, Lakers Peyton Watson restricted free agency, Lakers Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, Lakers news, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, JJ Redick, Rob Pelinka, Lakers news, Lakers Peyton Watson restricted free agent, Lakers top free agent targets, Lakers buyout market, Kobe Bufkin
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The Los Angeles Lakers are increasingly linked to a top free agent target, while rumors of an offseason Giannis Antetokounmpo trade continue.
The Los Angeles Lakers made just one move at the NBA trade deadline, and while theywere rumored to be targeting a few players on the buyout market, they signed Kobe Bufkin to a full contract.Instead of making moves right now, the Lakers are now focused on the offseason,and creating as much cap space and flexibilityto put players around their core duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
While they remain in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, the teamis reportedly set to make a push this summer, another player, set to be a restricted free agent, could join the Lakers this summer.
Writing for ESPN, Kevin Pelton said restricted free agent Peyton Watson of the DenverNuggets ‘might be gettable‘ for the Lakersthis offseason, as he is having the best season of his career in the Mile High City, but might garner a contract bigger than what his current team can pay.
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Peyton Watson could be “gettable” this summer due to Denver’s tax situation, per @kpelton
“Restricted free agency is trickier for a team such as the Lakers that can’t afford to wait out the matching period, but Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson — an L.A.-area native who
“Restricted free agency is trickier for a team such as the Lakers thatcan’t afford to wait out the matching period, butDenver Nuggets forwardPeyton Watson — an L.A.-area native who played atUCLA — might be gettable via sign-and-trade because ofDenver’s tax situation,”Pelton wrote.
Los Angeles hasbeen linked to Watson over the past few weeks, andstepping up this season with his 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and two assists on 49.6% shooting for a very injured Nuggets team, he could be a great wing addition for the Lakersto add.
Lakers Eyeing Peyton Watson In Free Agency
With all signs pointing to LeBron James out the door this summer, as well as the other expiring contracts the Lakers have on the books, outside of Reaves, who theyare expected to give a big deal to, the franchiseis expected to have about $55 million in cap space this summer.
Watson will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, but in the last year of his four-year, $11.2 million rookie deal, the Los Angeles could very well offer him a contract much bigger than Denver could match.
NBA insider Jake Fischer first reported the interest from theLakers’ side.
NBACentral
Peyton Watson could be “gettable” this summer due to Denver’s tax situation, per @kpelton
“Restricted free agency is trickier for a team such as the Lakers that can’t afford to wait out the matching period, but Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson — an L.A.-area native who
“It must be said, though, that rival executives are increasingly curious aboutDenver’s likely struggles to retain Peyton Watson this summer given the fourth-yearswingman’s recent breakout play amid all of theNuggets’ health woes,”he wrote on The Stein Line substack. “We’ll certainly be tracking this situation over the coming months, sinceWatson’s restricted free agency is already shaping up to become a major domino of the offseason. Sources say teams thatare projected to have cap space — notably such as the Lakers — are already preparing interest.”
Most recently, Dan Woike of The Athletic followed up that news by adding that the team could make a sign-and-trade deal with the Nuggets in exchange for one of their other mid-level players.
“They could engage with restricted free agents likeDenver’s Peyton Watson andHouston’sTari Eason,”he wrote. “And while restricted free agency comes with complications tied to offer sheets and priorteams’ rights to match, the Lakers could try to bypass those steps with draft capital in sign-and-trades.”
Adding a wing like Watson would be a solid addition for the Lakers next season. The center position remains a big issuethey’ll need to address, but with the potential cap space, Watson is going to garner a lot of attention this summer, and a return to his hometown could certainly be in play.
Lakers Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors, Offseason Hopes
While someone like Watson would be a player who could fit well next to Doncic and Reaves, the possibility of adding Antetokounmpo is likely theLakers’ top priority this summer. Though hewasn’t moved at the trade deadline and has re-pledged his allegiance to the Milwaukee Bucks multiple times over the past few weeks, there is an expectation that trade rumors will once again heat up this summer.
“The Los Angeles Lakers all but made it official this week: They plan to chase Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer,”Woike wrote in his same article discussing the potential of them adding Watson.
But as the Bucksweren’t interested in the trade offers, teams like the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks were ready to giveup, the asking price for Antetokounmpo isgoing to be high. They would almost certainly have to give up Reaves and their offseason-available first-round picks, along with a few other assets, but the idea of pairing the Greek Freak with Doncic is too intriguing to ignore.
“One major appeal in theLakers’ package will be the cap relief they can offer Milwaukee,”Jacob Rude wrote for Silver Screen and Roll. “Does that mean Austin Reaves will be involved in a potential sign-and-trade?He’s certainly the best player the Bucks couldget back, but it requires the Lakers to be willing to trade him and for Reaves to want togo to Milwaukee. With him, the Lakers would have the best trade package. Without him, it becomes much more of a debate.”
Recently, Antetokounmpo said he is interested in teaming up with James, and while he looks to be on his way out, resigning on a minimum deal could make the Lakers an even more serious threat to land the two-time MVP over the offseason.