Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) warms up prior to the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
As Denver Nuggets young star Peyton Watson has been in rumors throughout the offseason, there appears to be development in the likelihood of him staying with the team that drafted him with the 30th overall pick in 2022. While rumors around the Nuggets and Watson will continue, this NBA insider would speak about where everything stands with the 23-year-old.
According to ClutchPoints' NBA insider Brett Siegel on the Nuggets and Watson, the UCLA product “has a foot out the door” in Denver, as contract negotiations have not gone the way the player would like.
Plus, Watson is looking to be a starter next season, as last season with the team, he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three-point range.
“Denver could always go to the phones for Johnson or Gordon again this offseason if they are serious about keeping Watson, but it is beginning to look like the young forward already has a foot out the door,” Siegel wrote. As much as the Nuggets want to keep Watson, he wants to get paid and have a chance to be a starter after his breakout fourth season.”
The teams interested in Nuggets' Peyton Watson
When it comes to the Nuggets' young up-and-coming star in Watson, some teams have shown interest, as a sign-and-trade could be the likeliest resolution to this situation.
Siegel would mention the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Atlanta Hawks who have expressed interest “over the last month,” with Los Angeles and Milwaukee having “the clearest paths” to Watson.
“That is why teams like the LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Atlanta Hawks have all expressed sign-and-trade interest in Watson over the last month,” Siegel wrote. “The Clippers and Bucks have the clearest paths to landing Watson.”
At any rate, it remains to be seen what happens with Watson and which team he ends up going to this offseason.