Building a roster using restricted free agency can be quite challenging.
Typically, restricted free agents are promising young players who can impact a team significantly.
But it’s becoming less common for these players to switch teams this way.
Teams tend to shy away from putting out offer sheets. Why? Because the original team has 48 hours to match any offer, which can really complicate their salary cap situation and halt their free agency plans for a couple of days.
The last time a restricted free agent signed an offer sheet was in 2023, when Paul Reed’s previous team, the 76ers, re-signed him instead of letting him move to the Jazz.
Generally, when a player gets to the point of signing an offer sheet, their current team often decides to match the offer.
Take Bogdan Bogdanovic, for instance. He signed a four-year, $72 million offer sheet with the Hawks, marking one of the few times in nearly six years that a restricted free agent changed teams. The Kings chose not to respond.
More often than not, restricted free agents find new homes through trades or contracts rather than offer sheets. For example, Grant Williams was traded to the Mavericks from the Celtics in a three-team deal with the Spurs in 2023. Similarly, Collin Sexton moved from the Cavaliers to the Jazz as part of the Donovan Mitchell trade in 2022. Devonte Graham also switched from the Hornets to the Pelicans in 2021, and Lonzo Ball went from the Pelicans back to the Hornets.
This method allows the original team to get something in return for their departing player, while the new team can avoid messing with salary cap space as they wait for a potential match from the original team.
Restricted free agency can be a tough route for acquiring players, but talents like Walker Kessler from the Jazz and Jalen Duren from the Pistons might still be attainable.
Here’s a look at some restricted free agents that the Lakers might want to monitor.
Peyton Watson, Nuggets, Wing
2025-26 stats: 14.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 BPG, 29.6 MPG
Watson has evolved into one of the league’s most promising young 3-and-D wings, showcasing even greater potential. He played a crucial role in the Nuggets’ strong performance during the 2025-26 season, especially in January when they managed a 10-6 record without their three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic.
In his breakout season, Watson averaged 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals over 15 games in January during his fourth year in the NBA, having come from UCLA.
Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, he embodies the type of player many teams are looking for, offering versatility on offense and solid defense.
The Nuggets might have to get into the luxury tax, perhaps even the second apron, to retain Watson unless they make significant salary adjustments.
Ousmane Dieng, Bucks, Wing
2025-26 stats: 7.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 19.3 MPG
Dieng, picked 11th in the 2022 draft, had a tough time fitting into the Thunder’s lineup during his first three and a half seasons and found himself traded multiple times. Eventually, he landed with the Bucks.
In Milwaukee, he finally saw regular playing time, averaging 26.8 minutes, 11 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 30 games, with 20 of those as a starter.
Outside of his stint in Milwaukee, Dieng hasn’t had many moments to showcase his intriguing skills—like his smooth ball-handling, quickness, and defensive instincts. He’s only played 166 regular season games in four seasons so far, but he still has room for growth.
Ochai Agbaji, Nets, Wing
2025-26 stats: 5.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 15.7 MPG
Agbaji has established himself as a good defender, both on the ball and off. He had his best 3-point shooting season in 2024-25, hitting nearly 40%. But that dropped significantly to just 26.6% in 2025-26.
His journey has already seen him with three teams in four years since the Jazz drafted him 14th overall in 2022. His future value will largely hinge on his ability to find more consistency in his shooting from the outside.
