Lakers get good Peyton Watson trade news during playoffs

Lakers get good Peyton Watson trade news during playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Lakers are currently fighting to avoid becoming the first team to surrender a 3-0 playoff lead.

The Houston Rockets have won back-to-back contests against Los Angeles and could really make things interesting with a series-altering win on Friday. While life is certainly stressful for the 17-time NBA champions, The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer provided the Western Conference with helpful Peyton Watson trade news that could be a sign of what’s to come in the offseason. “League sources have already identified the Lakers, (Chicago) Bulls , and (Brooklyn) Nets as potential suitors (for Watson) that are likely to have the requisite spending power to present an offer sheet that causes angst in the Rocky Mountains," Fischer wrote Wednesday.

“The Stein Line has learned, in fact, that both the Lakers and Bulls registered trade interest in Watson leading up to the in-season deadline for deals on Feb. 5, although it must be noted that Chicago's front office will soon have a new lead voice after the recent ouster of former Nuggets executive Artūras Karnišovas. ” Fischer’s trade report is great news for the Lakers, as it reveals that Los Angeles expressed significant interest in acquiring Watson in early February.

Of course, Luke Kennard was the asset that the Lakers ultimately agreed to trade for, but it’s helpful to know that Watson was on their radar just three months ago. Although a hamstring injury ended Watson's season in early April, Lakers fans should expect the franchise to circle back to him in the summer. This time around, though, a trade won’t be necessary, as Watson is slated to be a free agent this summer.