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The Denver Nuggets and Peyton Watson still remain at an impasse as they try to work out a new deal.
Watson is a restricted free agent, which means another team can present him with an offer sheet, but Denver would have the opportunity to match that deal to keep him on the team, much like they did with Spencer Jones when he was presented with a two-year, $12 million offer sheet by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Denver also has the opportunity to work out a sign-and-trade deal with another team if they are looking to acquire Watson, as Denver can pay him more than any other team.
According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line newsletter, Denver is offering Watson in the range of $16 to $18 million per season. Watson's side is reportedly looking for a deal that would pay him $25 to $30 million per season, in line with the raise Christian Braun got last offseason, which is set to kick in this season.
Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three in 54 games.
Watson's side will likely point to the one-month stretch when Nikola Jokic was out, and Watson averaged 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on 48% shooting from the field and 44% from three.
Denver likely wants to avoid the same mistake they made with Braun in giving a big contract to a guy who had one good season under his belt and then underperformed.
The Nuggets hold the majority of the leverage at this moment. They can match any offer for Watson, but no team has the cap space to make an offer for Watson, at least not for the money he is reportedly looking for.
A sign-and-trade is on the table, but Denver is operating in the second apron, meaning they can only trade Watson for draft picks and can't take back any salary. Any deal that could be done would require the other team to have a big enough trade exception and either have ownership willing to pay a higher tax bill or see the team shed salary in a separate trade, which makes things extra complicated.
Watson could sign his qualifying offer, which is worth $6.5 million, and play out the season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next season, but that comes with its own risks and potential team fracture.
Continue reading...
Watson is a restricted free agent, which means another team can present him with an offer sheet, but Denver would have the opportunity to match that deal to keep him on the team, much like they did with Spencer Jones when he was presented with a two-year, $12 million offer sheet by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Denver also has the opportunity to work out a sign-and-trade deal with another team if they are looking to acquire Watson, as Denver can pay him more than any other team.
The Latest On Watson
According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line newsletter, Denver is offering Watson in the range of $16 to $18 million per season. Watson's side is reportedly looking for a deal that would pay him $25 to $30 million per season, in line with the raise Christian Braun got last offseason, which is set to kick in this season.
Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three in 54 games.
Watson's side will likely point to the one-month stretch when Nikola Jokic was out, and Watson averaged 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on 48% shooting from the field and 44% from three.
Denver likely wants to avoid the same mistake they made with Braun in giving a big contract to a guy who had one good season under his belt and then underperformed.
What's Next
The Nuggets hold the majority of the leverage at this moment. They can match any offer for Watson, but no team has the cap space to make an offer for Watson, at least not for the money he is reportedly looking for.
A sign-and-trade is on the table, but Denver is operating in the second apron, meaning they can only trade Watson for draft picks and can't take back any salary. Any deal that could be done would require the other team to have a big enough trade exception and either have ownership willing to pay a higher tax bill or see the team shed salary in a separate trade, which makes things extra complicated.
Watson could sign his qualifying offer, which is worth $6.5 million, and play out the season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next season, but that comes with its own risks and potential team fracture.
Continue reading...
