Peyton Watson spent one season with the UCLA Bruins in the 2021-22 season. Averaging 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game on an uninspiring 32.2/22.6/68.8 shooting splits. Leading to people believing him inserting his name into the 2022 NBA Draft, to be a puzzling one. He only played 12.7 minutes per game in his lone season in Westwood. Often being a defensive spark and providing length for the team in Mick Cronin’s defensive schemes.
#UCLA freshman Peyton Watson has declared for the NBA Draft: https://t.co/2mdxQSP5oW pic.twitter.com/gBwqQ5Pl4V
— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) April 12, 2022
Watson was selected in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and had his rights traded to the Denver Nuggets. He was seen as a project player. One that the Nuggets could bring along slowly and turn into a defensive stopper. In Watson’s rookie season he played very sparingly but was already an NBA Champion at age 20. As the Nuggets went on to defeat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Each year that goes by though he is now getting better and better.
Peyton Watson has become UCLA’s third former player in the last three seasons (and the sixth Bruin in the past eight years) to have won an NBA Championship.
🏀🏆🏀: https://t.co/ttZ6itcP51 pic.twitter.com/4GMHEFbDUJ
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) June 14, 2023
Watson has improved his shot selection, rebounding, and overall feel for the game. Most importantly he has a 3-point shot now. You used to cringe when he would shoot a long-range shot. Now you have to account for him as he is shooting 40% from deep. He now shoots the ball with confidence and his game is continuing to get more dangerous. It has led to him being put into the starting lineup, and he has played his best basketball in the NBA. His teammates are even loving his play and joking around with him in the postgame media interviews in the locker room
Peyton Watson after going 5 of 12 on 3s in the #Nuggets' win over MEM:
"I feel like I shoot it elite from the corner."
Tim Hardaway Jr. chimes in:
"Damn! 12 threes, Jesus Christ!"
P-Wat: "Career high. Career high. Got 'em up!" pic.twitter.com/i5GOzSL5nz
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) November 28, 2025
In the last six games that he has started, he is averaging 16.5 points per game. Including a 32 point double double and a 27-point effort, both in Nuggets wins. He is combining his elite defensive potential now with a serviceable offensive game. Becoming a key part of the Nuggets as they establish themselves as contenders. Also working his way into a nice second NBA contract. Showing his lack of stats in his one season at UCLA should be taken with a grain of salt.