The Lakers’ search for wing help has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the league as we approach the trade deadline. Names like Donte DiVincenzo and Keon Ellis have surfaced as potential targets, but with limited assets and a roster that still feels like it’s searching for its identity, the Lakers may be looking beyond February 8. The real move could come this summer - and it might involve a rising name from a division rival.
According to reports, the Lakers are eyeing Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson as a potential offseason target. And it’s not hard to see why.
Watson is having a breakout season, and rival teams are starting to take notice - especially those with cap space to work with this summer. The Lakers, who are expected to have financial flexibility in the offseason, are reportedly among the teams preparing to make a run at the young swingman.
Watson’s development has been steady, and this season, he’s taken a noticeable leap. He’s putting up career highs across the board - 14.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game - and doing it with efficiency.
He’s shooting 41% from beyond the arc and a blistering 47.5% on catch-and-shoot threes, the best mark on Denver’s roster. That’s not just solid - that’s elite spacing, the kind that any team would want next to a high-usage star.
And for the Lakers, that fit matters. If they’re building around Luka Dončić - and all signs point to that being the long-term plan - surrounding him with shooters who can defend and play off the ball is critical.
Watson checks those boxes. He’s a rangy, athletic wing who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, and he’s shown he can knock down open looks at a high clip.
That’s exactly the kind of complementary piece who could thrive alongside a player like Luka.
Denver, of course, had a chance to lock Watson up last summer with an extension but opted not to. That decision could come back to haunt them.
With the Nuggets dealing with injuries and rotations in flux, Watson has stepped up - and in doing so, he’s likely priced himself into a tricky situation for Denver’s front office. As a restricted free agent this summer, he’ll be able to field offers from other teams, and if those numbers climb high enough, the Nuggets may struggle to match.
Watson himself seems to understand the business side of it. He told the Denver Post he respected the team’s decision not to extend him early, but made it clear he’ll be approaching free agency with a business-first mindset. That opens the door for teams like the Lakers to make a serious pitch.
Financially, LA is in a decent position. Most of the current roster isn’t under contract for next season, giving the front office some flexibility.
They’ll still have to figure out what to do with Austin Reaves, and LeBron James’ future remains a question mark. But even with those variables, the Lakers should be able to put together a competitive offer if Watson becomes a priority.
Of course, waiting until the summer isn’t the most exciting strategy for fans who want to see immediate upgrades. But sometimes, patience pays off.
The Lakers don’t just need a short-term fix - they need long-term answers on the wing. And if the right deal isn’t there at the deadline, holding off for a player like Watson might be the smarter play.
No deal is better than a bad deal. And if the Lakers truly want to build a sustainable contender around Luka, targeting a young, ascending two-way wing like Peyton Watson in free agency could be a move that pays off for years to come.