The Denver Nuggets could possibly be pressured right into a troublesome roster choice if they maintain restricted free agent Peyton Watson, in accordance with Marc Stein. The veteran NBA reporter mentioned Denver might must make a commerce to create monetary flexibility.
“If [the Nuggets] preserve Peyton Watson, there’s in all probability going to be a commerce,” Stein mentioned on DNVR Sports activities, through HoopsHype. “I’m gonna exit on a limb and say it’s in all probability going to be a commerce that the DNVR Nuggets present doesn’t approve of.”
Watson’s contract negotiations have turn into certainly one of Denver’s largest offseason storylines after the 23-year-old ahead had a breakout 2025-26 season. Watson averaged 14.6 factors, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks in 54 video games whereas capturing 49.1% from the sector and 41.1% from three-point vary.
The Nuggets have reportedly offered Watson a five-year contract worth around $70 million, which might common roughly $14 million yearly. Nonetheless, Watson’s camp is believed to be seeking a deal closer to the five-year, $125 million extension Christian Braun received earlier than the 2025-26 season.
Watson’s emergence has difficult Denver’s wage construction. The Nuggets are already working across the second apron whereas making an attempt to take care of a championship core constructed round Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic averaged 27.7 factors, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 65 video games final season, ending second in MVP voting, whereas Murray averaged 25.4 factors and seven.1 assists over 75 video games.
Stein famous that Denver’s most popular final result could be transferring Zeke Nnaji, however discovering a commerce companion might require extra belongings.
“Their most popular situation could be discovering a commerce residence for Zeke Nnaji, however you recognize when you do that you simply’re attaching draft capital and the Nuggets should not precisely teeming with further draft capital,” Stein mentioned.
Nnaji performed a restricted function for Denver in 2025-26, averaging 3.7 factors and a couple of.6 rebounds in 52 video games whereas capturing 47.0% from the sector. His contract, mixed with the workforce’s restricted draft sources, makes a salary-clearing commerce extra difficult.
Denver already sacrificed future flexibility throughout current roster strikes. The Nuggets traded down from No. 26 within the 2026 NBA Draft, buying the No. 35 decide and two future second-round alternatives from the San Antonio Spurs earlier than deciding on Trevon Brazile.
Holding Watson would protect certainly one of Denver’s most precious younger belongings. The previous first-round decide has developed into a flexible wing who can defend a number of positions whereas offering environment friendly scoring subsequent to Jokic and Murray. His 1.1 blocks per sport ranked among the many workforce’s prime marks regardless of enjoying totally on the perimeter.
The Nuggets completed the 2025-26 common season with a 54-28 report, incomes the No. 3 seed within the Western Convention, however their season ended with a 4-2 first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
