Lakers, Bulls Among Teams Expected to Pursue Nuggets RFA Peyton Watson
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The Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls are expected to explore offers for Denver Nuggets swingman Peyton Watson when free agency opens this summer, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Fischer reported that both clubs examined trade possibilities for the 23-year-old before the February deadline. The Brooklyn Nets have also surfaced as a potential bidder, although their interest is described as speculative.
Watson is coming off a breakout campaign in which he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent beyond the arc. He will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent, giving Denver the right to match any contract he signs elsewhere.
All three interested teams are projected to have salary-cap flexibility. Los Angeles is expected to prioritize help on the wing, Brooklyn aims to upgrade after a 62-loss season and without control of its 2027 first-round pick, and Chicago is positioned for significant cap space amid ongoing front-office changes.
Denver already has more than $200 million committed to eight players for the 2026-27 season. Re-signing Watson without additional roster moves would push the club deeper into luxury-tax territory. Nonetheless, restricted free agents seldom change teams, and league executives largely expect the Nuggets to retain him.
Watson has appeared in just five games since early February because of a hamstring strain and is not expected back during Denver’s first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Source: Hoops Wire
