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The Los Angeles Lakers' new-look roster that they quickly assembled over the last few weeks looks strong and competitive, but there is a big hole at the starting forward position. They don't have a starting-level player who can effectively guard wings and bigger forwards and is also effective enough offensively to make a significant impact.
There has been lots of talk about the Lakers being in pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, who has plenty of potential but also possesses several red flags. In the meantime, Peyton Watson, a two-way wing the team had been linked to for several months, remains a restricted free agent, and while the Denver Nuggets want to keep him, there doesn't seem to be a resolution in sight. The Nuggets may have to shed some salary to get him to ultimately agree to a new contract.
Naturally, some Lakers fans may be wondering if there is a way the team can acquire Watson. According to insider Jovan Buha, that ship has already sailed (h/t Heavy Sports).
Watson, who will turn 24 years of age on Sept. 11, blossomed this past season and averaged 14.6 points a game on 49.1% overall shooting and 41.1% 3-point shooting. At 6-foot-8, the Los Angeles-area native has ample athleticism and can play both forward positions.
The Lakers used almost all of their tradable draft capital to get Kessler -- two first-round picks and two pick swaps, to be exact. Those three second-rounders and one pick swap Buha mentioned are all L.A. has remaining in terms of tradable draft capital.
Watson is thought to be seeking a long-term deal that would pay him at least $25 million a year. If L.A. were to land him, it would have to do so in a sign-and-trade deal that would send out enough salary. Would Denver accept some combination of Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia and/or Bronny James along with draft compensation? Probably not.
Even if Denver said yes to that type of package, in order for such a trade to work under the NBA's complex salary cap rules, Denver would have to first shed some salary to get under the first apron. Watson would also have to accept a somewhat lesser salary than the $25 million a year he's reportedly demanding.
In other words, forget about it.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers insider on whether Peyton Watson is a realistic target
Continue reading...
There has been lots of talk about the Lakers being in pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, who has plenty of potential but also possesses several red flags. In the meantime, Peyton Watson, a two-way wing the team had been linked to for several months, remains a restricted free agent, and while the Denver Nuggets want to keep him, there doesn't seem to be a resolution in sight. The Nuggets may have to shed some salary to get him to ultimately agree to a new contract.
Naturally, some Lakers fans may be wondering if there is a way the team can acquire Watson. According to insider Jovan Buha, that ship has already sailed (h/t Heavy Sports).
Watson, who will turn 24 years of age on Sept. 11, blossomed this past season and averaged 14.6 points a game on 49.1% overall shooting and 41.1% 3-point shooting. At 6-foot-8, the Los Angeles-area native has ample athleticism and can play both forward positions.
The Lakers used almost all of their tradable draft capital to get Kessler -- two first-round picks and two pick swaps, to be exact. Those three second-rounders and one pick swap Buha mentioned are all L.A. has remaining in terms of tradable draft capital.
Watson is thought to be seeking a long-term deal that would pay him at least $25 million a year. If L.A. were to land him, it would have to do so in a sign-and-trade deal that would send out enough salary. Would Denver accept some combination of Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia and/or Bronny James along with draft compensation? Probably not.
Even if Denver said yes to that type of package, in order for such a trade to work under the NBA's complex salary cap rules, Denver would have to first shed some salary to get under the first apron. Watson would also have to accept a somewhat lesser salary than the $25 million a year he's reportedly demanding.
In other words, forget about it.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers insider on whether Peyton Watson is a realistic target
Continue reading...
