Peyton Watson’s ascent in the NBA has been fun to watch. He has become one of the most integral players on the Denver Nuggets. A team that has championship aspirations and are built to win now. Each year in the NBA he has gotten better and it has culminated in a breakout 2025 season so far. Averaging 14.7 points per game and doing so on 49.9/41.3/73 shooting splits. He is also a good defender that uses his length to effect passing lanes and block shots. Showing he is ready for a big payday soon.
Peyton Watson self-creation leap pic.twitter.com/6oKZwf5eIr
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 23, 2026
Watson played one season at UCLA before entering his name in the NBA draft in 2022. Being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and then having his rights traded to the Nuggets. He was able to slip into the 1st round at pick 30 and secure a guaranteed contract. Many people thought he should stay longer in college as he did not get much of an opportunity. He decided to ultimately ignore those calls and keep his name in the draft. Being considered a raw player with tremendous upside.
Watson played a small role on the Nuggets in his rookie year. Not getting much playing time but at 20 years old became an NBA champion. Each year that he has been in a league he has grown his game and now is in the midst of a breakout year. The best time to have a year like he is having, because that will get him paid. Watson is very athletic and lanky. Two things that rosters covet. It will be interesting to see if the Nuggets will dip into the luxury tax farther to offer him a good contract.
It has been very fun to watch what Watson could do this year. UCLA had a good team in 2022. They were just wrecked by inconsistencies after the Final Four run. But we have come to see that even though there isn’t much playing time for some UCLA guards. That does not mean they can’t succeed in the NBA. Jrue Holiday and Zach LaVine are examples of that as well. They didn’t get mega minutes at UCLA, but they have become very good NBA players. Watson is now adding to that list.
The person in the Denver Nuggets front office that’s responsible for convincing them to take a chance on Peyton Watson despite him only averaging 3 PPG off the bench in college, deserves a lifetime contract pic.twitter.com/MLPyvxV9Nv
— Hooksnhoopz (@hooksnhoopz) January 31, 2026