Peyton Watson was thrust into a starting role for the Nuggets after Christian Braun went down with an injury in mid-November, and he never looked back. His rapid ascension to stardom has led to constant rumors of courtship from the Lakers when he becomes a restricted free agent this summer.
The Lakers may be able to offer him substantially more money than the Nuggets can. But if Watson does slip away, the Nuggets may already have found the perfect replacement.
Julian Strawther's started the last five games for the Nuggets in place of the injured Watson and Aaron Gordon.