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Peyton Watson is still a restricted free as he and the Denver Nuggets try to work out a new contract or a sign-and-trade that sends him to another team.
As a restricted free agent, the Nuggets can match any offer put forth by another team for Watson. Thus far, no team has sent an offer sheet to Watson in an attempt to steal him from Denver.
A sign-and-trade could benefit both teams, as Watson would get paid while Denver could pick up some assets rather than losing Watson for nothing. They currently hold the majority of the cards, as they could wait for another team to make an offer sheet if no contract is reached.
Ryan Blackburn of Locked on Nuggets clarified misconceptions regarding the sign-and-trade situation with Watson.
Blackburn noted that Denver cannot take back salary that would put them into the second apron without a subsequent move.
For example, if Watson agrees to a deal that pays him $25 million annually, they can't trade him for another player making $25 million, as that puts them into the second apron. They can trade Christian Braun or Cameron Johnson to get further under the first apron, sign Watson to a $25 million deal, and then trade him for similar monetary value.
The Nuggets currently have $3 million in apron space before they hit the second apron. Signing Watson would put them into the second apron, which is legal, but most teams avoid it due to the penalties that can be incurred.
Denver could work out a sign-and-trade with a team that can absorb Watson into space and takes back draft compensation or a player making less than $3 million to avoid the second apron.
The waiting game continues.
Watson is reportedly seeking between $25 and $30 million a year. The 23-year-old wing is coming off a breakout season where he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three in 54 games.
Denver signed Christian Braun to an extension that kicks in this season, paying him $25 million a year, when he was coming off a similar season in 2024-25. Watson showed better two-way play than Braun and proved he could carry the offense for a significant stretch in January when Nikola Jokic was injured.
At some point, some team is going to pay Peyton Watson. Whether he remains in Denver after being paid remains to be seen.
Continue reading...
As a restricted free agent, the Nuggets can match any offer put forth by another team for Watson. Thus far, no team has sent an offer sheet to Watson in an attempt to steal him from Denver.
A sign-and-trade could benefit both teams, as Watson would get paid while Denver could pick up some assets rather than losing Watson for nothing. They currently hold the majority of the cards, as they could wait for another team to make an offer sheet if no contract is reached.
Clarifying The Sign-And-Trade
Ryan Blackburn of Locked on Nuggets clarified misconceptions regarding the sign-and-trade situation with Watson.
Blackburn noted that Denver cannot take back salary that would put them into the second apron without a subsequent move.
For example, if Watson agrees to a deal that pays him $25 million annually, they can't trade him for another player making $25 million, as that puts them into the second apron. They can trade Christian Braun or Cameron Johnson to get further under the first apron, sign Watson to a $25 million deal, and then trade him for similar monetary value.
The Nuggets currently have $3 million in apron space before they hit the second apron. Signing Watson would put them into the second apron, which is legal, but most teams avoid it due to the penalties that can be incurred.
Denver could work out a sign-and-trade with a team that can absorb Watson into space and takes back draft compensation or a player making less than $3 million to avoid the second apron.
What's Next?
The waiting game continues.
Watson is reportedly seeking between $25 and $30 million a year. The 23-year-old wing is coming off a breakout season where he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three in 54 games.
Denver signed Christian Braun to an extension that kicks in this season, paying him $25 million a year, when he was coming off a similar season in 2024-25. Watson showed better two-way play than Braun and proved he could carry the offense for a significant stretch in January when Nikola Jokic was injured.
At some point, some team is going to pay Peyton Watson. Whether he remains in Denver after being paid remains to be seen.
Continue reading...
