Peyton Watson’s Breakout Season Puts Nuggets in a Tough Spot - and the Lakers on Alert
We’re still a ways from the NBA offseason, but Peyton Watson’s rise this year has already started to shake up the landscape - and the Denver Nuggets are feeling the pressure.
At 23 years old, Watson has taken a significant leap, blossoming into a legitimate two-way threat. He’s got the kind of profile every front office craves: size, athleticism, defensive versatility, and a growing offensive game that makes him a matchup problem on both ends. That blend doesn’t just show up in highlight reels - it translates to real impact, and it’s turning heads across the league.
Now, here’s where things get complicated for Denver.
The Nuggets opted not to extend Watson before the season, instead betting on restricted free agency. At the time, that may have seemed like a calculated risk - but with Watson’s breakout, that gamble is looking riskier by the day.
His market value is climbing, and Denver’s cap sheet isn’t exactly friendly. Unless ownership is willing to dip into the second tax apron - a move that would signal a serious commitment to contending at all costs - keeping Watson might require clearing out significant salary elsewhere.
That could mean parting ways with a key rotation piece like Christian Braun or Cam Johnson. Either way, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
Denver spent time and resources developing Watson from a raw prospect into a high-level contributor. Letting him walk for nothing would sting - especially if he ends up in purple and gold.
The Lakers Connection: A Homecoming in the Making?
The Lakers, meanwhile, are watching this situation closely. They’ve been maneuvering their books to open up cap space this summer, and Watson checks a lot of boxes for what they need around Luka Doncic.
He’s a rangy wing who can defend multiple positions, run in transition, and play off the ball - the kind of player who thrives next to a heliocentric star like Doncic. And beyond the on-court fit, there’s a strong hometown connection.
Watson is an LA native - born in Beverly Hills, starred at Long Beach Poly, and spent his college year at UCLA. A return to Southern California would be more than just a basketball move; it’d be a full-circle moment.
The dots are already being connected. ESPN’s Tim McMahon floated the idea on a recent episode of The Hoop Collective, and it’s easy to see why the chatter is picking up. For the Lakers, a young, ascending wing like Watson would be a dream addition to a roster that’s been hungry for youth and athleticism.
Denver’s Dilemma
For the Nuggets, the prospect of losing Watson - and especially losing him to a Western Conference rival - is a worst-case scenario. This is a player they believed in early, a project they’ve nurtured into a legitimate NBA contributor. Watching him walk away, just as he’s hitting his stride, would be a tough blow to a team trying to keep its championship window open.
There’s still time for Denver to make a move, whether that’s clearing space, working out a sign-and-trade, or convincing ownership to open the checkbook. But as things stand, Watson’s future in Denver looks murky - and the Lakers are lurking.
This offseason could get real interesting, real fast.