{"id":174895,"date":"2026-01-28T14:52:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=174895"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:52:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:52:35","slug":"lakers-hometown-hero-peyton-watson-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/28\/lakers-hometown-hero-peyton-watson-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Could Pursue Another Hometown Hero in Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s never too early to begin discussing the offseason. The Lakers are reportedly interested in a young breakout forward who also has <\/span>ties to the City of Angels<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Could Pursue Another Hometown Hero in Free Agency<\/h2>\n

Lakers Eyeing Nuggets Wing Peyton Watson<\/h3>\n

NBA insider <\/span>Jake Fischer<\/span><\/a> has\u00a0highlighted the Lakers as a cap-space heavy team \u201cpreparing interest\u201d in <\/span>Peyton Watson<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt must be said, though, that rival executives are increasingly curious about Denver’s likely struggles to retain Peyton Watson this summer given the fourth-year swingman’s recent breakout play amid all of the Nuggets’ health woes. We’ll certainly be tracking this situation over the coming months, since Watson’s restricted free agency is already shaping up to become a major domino of the offseason. Sources say teams that are projected to have cap space \u2014 notably such as the Lakers \u2014 are already preparing interest.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In 44 games for the injury-ravaged Nuggets, <\/span>Watson<\/span><\/a> is averaging 14.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting nearly 50% from the field, 41% from three and 74% from the free-throw line. He’s turned into a <\/span>vital option<\/span><\/a> after <\/span>Nikola Jokic<\/span><\/a>\u2019s injury, putting up 22.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in the three-time MVP\u2019s absence. Watson has also improved defensively as of late. He’s averaging 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks in that span and using his length and athleticism to bother his opponents.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Peyton Watson Highlight tape<\/p>\n

last 12 games
23.2 PPG (2nd Most for Team)
6.4 RPG (3rd most for team)
3.0 APG (4th most for team)
1.3 SPG (Led Team)
1.6 BPG (Led Team)
52.1% FG (2nd highest on Team)
52.7% 3P (Led Team) pic.twitter.com\/yAeaH2PJgN<\/a><\/p>\n

— Naylor\uea00 (@Naylor408) January 27, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n