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While the Lakers will make an 'all out pursuit' for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, cap space could be used on a specific free agent target.
The Los Angeles Lakers, as they enter a new phase of the franchise after this season in the post-LeBron James era, are expected to have significant cap space over the summer to sign top free agent targets to pair alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for the future.
The Lakers are also expected to make an ‘all out pursuit’ for Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks based on new trade rumors, but more on him as a top target in a minute.
While the Lakers have been linked to several free agents for the upcoming offseason, one name in particular stands out as a good fit in Los Angeles, and likely within the team’s budget: Peyton Watson of the Denver Nuggets.
Writing for ESPN, Dave McMenamin named Watson as one of the free agent targets the Lakers are expected to go after.
Most recently, Bobby Marks wrote that after the Nuggets failed to sign a new deal with him over the offseason, the chances of them retaining him this summer are low.
That’s where the Lakers will likely step in. They failed to trade for a 3-and-D wing at the trade deadline, and while general manager Rob Pelinka said they turned down a few other deals on the table, the franchise is expected to go all out this summer for some of the top free agents and trade targets across the NBA.
Lakers Free Agent Target Peyton Watson
With Denver, Watson is having the best season of his early career. He earned a surprising Player of the Week award in January, and is putting up 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and two assists on 49.6/41.7/72.7 shooting splits.
But what is good news for the Lakers is that the idea of Watson returning to his current team this summer is unlikely. Denver is already very close to the second apron, and as the 23-year-old is in line for a new contract extension,it’s hard to see the Nuggets offering him one while also paying their star group of players.
“InWatson’s case, Denver failing to reach an extension before the season could be costly,”Marks wrote. “(Watson) is averaging career highs in points and shooting efficiency this season. And in 39 starts, he is averaging 17.5 points with a 50.4 field goal percentage and 41.7% shooting from 3.”
The wing player himself knowsthe idea of staying in Denver with his next potential contract and their current cap restrictions is a tall task, signaling thathe’ll be looking for a big deal elsewhere.
“With the new CBA and the second apron, things of that nature, [the Nuggets] wanted to stay out of that,”Watson told The Denver Post in October. “As a business,you’ve gotta operate [based on]what’s best for your business. And when it comes time for me to make my decision next summer,I’ve gotta operate as a business myself.”
The Lakersare expected to have roughly $51 million in cap space this summer, more than enough to sign Watson to a multi-year deal to put him alongside Doncic and Reaves on the wing.
Lakers Other Top Free Agent Targets Amid New Cap Space, ‘All Out Pursuit’ For Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
While Watson is just one of theLakers’ free agent targets, the team is reportedly eyeing several others with the cap spacethey’ll have to fill this summer.
Currently, Los Angeles has five unrestricted free agents this summer, not including Reaves, and with the moneythey’ll free up with each potentially gone,they’ll have the space to sign new players in their place.
McMenamin named multiple free agent candidates the Lakersare expected to at least check in on over the summer.
NBACentral
The Lakers have discussed targeting players like Tobias Harris, Dean Wade, Quentin Grimes, Andrew Wiggins, Tari Eason, and Peyton Watson in the offseason, per @mcten
“An unrestricted free agent who hasbeen discussed internally, sources told ESPN, is Andrew Wiggins, but he has a player option with Miami he could exercise. Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade are other players who fit that profile,”he wrote, also mentioning Tari Eason as a potential target.
While there are several names the Lakers havebeen linked toin terms of top free agent targets, one name has yet to be mentioned, but is the player Los Angeles will likely target over everyone else, and that’s Antetokoumpo of the Bucks.
The Lakers have more assets to move over the summer than they did at the deadline, and their expected cap space paints a good picture of an Antetokounmpo deal compared to some of the other teams in the mix.
NBACentral
The Lakers reportedly believe they have a good shot at Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, per @mcten
“The Lakers, team sources told ESPN, obviously see the appeal in Antetokounmpo and believe they would be one of the teams on a very short list if the Bucks star asks for a
“The Lakers, team sources told ESPN, obviously see the appeal in Antetokounmpo and believe they would be one of the teams on a very short list if the Bucks star asks for a trade out of Milwaukee,”McMenamin wrote. “A Western Conference executive told ESPN he believes Antetokounmpo is the “big prize”the Lakers hope to land, should the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade the 2021 NBA Finals MVP in the offseason.”
Additionally, Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote that the Lakers ‘are known to be planning anall-out pursuit of theBucks’ big man in the summer.’
Whetherit’s the top-tier trade target of Antetokounmpo or a strong free agent addition like Watson, the Lakersare expected to be busy this summer to find what fits around Doncic and Reaves.