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Lakers linked to $11 million Nuggets emerging star, NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It’s well-documented that the Denver Nuggets possess several players who’ll likely be of interest to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
While unlikely, Jamal Murray is a Nuggets contributor who’s been linked to the Lakers since Denver’s first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Aaron Gordon is another; the 30-year-old wing is the type of slasher and perimeter-shooting threat the Lakers need moving forward. Peyton Watson is arguably the Lakers’ most realistic offseason target, making it unsurprising to witness ESPN’s Bobby Marks name Los Angeles as a good fit for the emerging 23-year-old star and NBA champion.
“The deal I'd offer: Four years, $90 million,” Marks wrote Friday. “Watson should be a priority for Denver, even if that means going into the second apron.
“A $22 million salary in the second year would allow the Nuggets to avoid the second apron once Cameron Johnson's salary comes off the cap in the 2027-28 season. Best fits: Denver, Chicago, Brooklyn, Lakers.”
The Lakers should strike while the iron is hot with Watson. The UCLA product appeared to be in the process of putting it all together with the Nuggets this season before an early April hamstring injury forced Denver to shut him down for the year.
Watson, a fluid 6-foot-8 wing with a lethal long-range jumper (41.1% three-point shooter this year) and impressive versatility on the defensive end, contributed 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game with the Nuggets in Year 4.
Will Denver put their best foot forward in free agency to keep Watson in the fold? That’s the expectation, but that doesn’t guarantee the Nuggets will outbid the Lakers when the time comes.
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