Lakers Target Peyton Watson as Nuggets Add Alpha Diallo in Offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring a sign‑and‑trade to acquire restricted‑free agent Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets. Analysts discussed a package that could include draft assets and young players such as Jared Vanderbilt, Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero, noting Watson’s youth and upside but also his recent injury concerns.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have signed EuroLeague defensive standout Alpha Diallo to a one‑year contract worth just under $2 million. Diallo, the 2026 EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year, is expected to bolster the Nuggets' second‑unit defense and address the team’s low defensive rating from the previous season.