Peyton Watson has formally mentioned goodbye to the Denver Nuggets after 4 seasons with the franchise, posting an emotional message to Nuggets Nation on Tuesday. The 23-year-old ahead leaves Denver after signing a four-year, $88 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a five-team sign-and-trade accomplished August 19.
“Nuggets Nation and town of Denver, Thanks for having me for the primary 4 years of my profession,” Watson wrote on Instagram. “As a younger NBA participant, who was a bit naive and hadn’t seen a lot of the true world, you guys took care of me higher than I may have ever imagined.”
Watson thanked Nuggets proprietor Josh Kroenke and former common supervisor Calvin Sales space, who chosen him thirtieth general out of UCLA within the 2022 NBA Draft. He additionally acknowledged head coach Michael Malone, assistant coach David Adelman, his teammates and a number of other veterans, particularly referring to Aaron Gordon as his “massive brother” and thanking Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for his or her assistance on and off the courtroom.
The farewell follows Watson’s best NBA season. He averaged 14.6 factors, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks in 54 video games through the 2025-26 marketing campaign whereas taking pictures 49.1% from the sphere and 41.1% from three-point vary.
Watson’s position expanded considerably over his 4 seasons in Denver. He went from averaging 3.3 factors in 8.1 minutes throughout 23 video games as a rookie to beginning 40 of his 54 appearances in 2025-26 whereas taking part in 29.6 minutes per sport.
Throughout 225 profession video games with the Nuggets, Watson averaged 8.7 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.1 blocks whereas taking pictures 47.9% from the sphere and 36.1% from three-point vary.
His departure got here after contract negotiations between Watson and Denver stalled throughout restricted free company. The Nuggets had been reportedly keen to supply $17.5 million yearly, whereas Watson finally agreed to a contract with Cleveland price $88 million over 4 years, together with a participant choice within the ultimate season and a 7.5% commerce kicker.
Denver selected to not match the provide and as an alternative acquired an unprotected 2031 first-round choose, a 2032 second-round choose and Julian Reese within the five-team transaction. The Nuggets entered the offseason after ending 54-28, third within the Western Convention, earlier than shedding to Minnesota 4-2 within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Watson will now be part of a Cleveland group that completed 52-30 and reached the Japanese Convention finals in 2026. His subsequent chapter will come alongside Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, whereas Denver strikes ahead with the draft property acquired for a participant who developed right into a key a part of its rotation.
“I’ll miss seeing you all at Ball Area,” Watson wrote. “Taking part in in entrance of you has been a dream come true. I’ll see you all quickly.”
