NBA Notes: Nuggets, Peyton Watson, Sixers, Quentin Grimes, Lakers

Nuggets

The Nuggets are expected to make a strong effort to keep restricted free agent Peyton Watson despite concerns about the hamstring injuries that hampered him throughout the season.

According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, league observers generally expect Watson’s next contract to fall somewhere in the $20 million-to-$25 million annual range.

The challenge, of course, is Denver’s payroll.

One Western Conference scout told ESPN that retaining Watson could force the Nuggets to make difficult decisions elsewhere on the roster, potentially involving players such as Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun.

“The injury stuff is a concern,” the scout said. “But so is how they struggled without him.”

76ers

The pressure is mounting on the 76ers to retain Quentin Grimes.

Following February’s trade that sent Jared McCain to Oklahoma City, Philadelphia’s backcourt depth suddenly looks a lot thinner, making Grimes increasingly important to the team’s plans.

According to Bontemps, rival executives believe the Sixers will push to re-sign both Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr., even if it means venturing back into luxury-tax territory.

One Western Conference executive suggested Philadelphia may not have much choice.

“You have to keep at least one of them, if not both,” the executive told ESPN. “And if they don’t go into the tax, they’re going to get crushed.”

Lakers

The Lakers aren’t interested in tearing things down.

General manager Rob Pelinka recently made it clear that rebuilding through years of losing isn’t part of the organization’s DNA, prompting The California Post’s Melissa Rohlin to examine how Los Angeles can keep pace with rising Western Conference powers such as Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

Her answer? Depth.

The Lakers already have a star core built around LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The next step may be finding the right supporting pieces around them.

Because as the Thunder and Spurs continue to show, talent wins games. Depth often wins championships.