Nuggets fans are going to have their own issues to worry about this coming offseason. Peyton Watson's pending restricted free agency, the Nuggets' salary cap woes, and now they can add a new one to the list. The Lakers are going to be in hot pursuit of a few big names this summer, and at the top of the list is Giannis Antetokounmpo. If that were to happen, the already crowded Western Conference would become that much more treacherous. Great, another speedbump.
Giannis has spent his entire 13-year career in Milwaukee with the Bucks, in the East, safely away from Denver, one less former-MVP in the conference to worry about. But at the trade deadline, he was the focus of many trade rumors before ultimately the Bucks decided to hang on to him.
However, as Dave McMenamin reports, the Lakers are on the "very short list" of approved teams Giannis would like to be traded to if the Bucks decide to rebuild without him.
If he were to join the Lakers, the Nuggets would add one more opponent in the West to a list of yearly title-contenders that already includes the Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, each with their own MVP-caliber stars.
And Giannis wants to compete for another title, something the Bucks aren't in a position to do. Plus, he'd have a great wingman already in purple and yellow to help him out.
The Lakers are willing to spend what it takes to win
The Lakers don't know what's going to happen with LeBron James, who could decide to retire as easily as he re-signs or signs elsewhere in free agency. But they locked up star guard Luka Doncic to a multiyear extension last offseason and would likely want to pair him with another big name if James doesn't or perhaps even does return.
The Lakers also have a new owner who's willing to spend money to win, as McMenamin says, "in the hopes of emulating the success of Walter's other team across town: the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers." Yikes.
That statement puts the Nuggets on notice for Peyton Watson, too. Watson's already got the local connection to Los Angeles, and their owner wants to spend the money to win championships.
Couple that with the non-stop rumors, and it's a likely bet that the Nuggets will be scrambling to match an offer for Watson that they weren't expecting last offseason when they failed to reach an extension with him.
It's all just speculation for now. First, the Bucks will have to decide what they want to do. We'll cross that bridge after we find out who's crowned champion this year, first.