The Denver Nuggets have made a decision on Peyton Watson.
A resolution has been reached in the Peyton Watson saga.
While Watson goes to the Cavaliers, Max Strus will head from Cleveland to Los Angeles. The Nuggets receive an unprotected 2031 Cavs first-round pick and a 2032 Kings second-rounder.
Watson will sign a new four-year, $88 million deal with the Cavaliers, including a player option and a trade kicker.
Watson had a breakout season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three in 54 games. He suffered a hamstring injury late in the season that caused him to miss the playoffs.
Why The Deal Got Done
As a second apron team, Denver couldn’t take back any salary in the trade. Watson was reportedly seeking between $25 and $30 million following his best season ever. Denver was reportedly offering between $16 million and $18 million. Ultimately, Watson settled for $22 million in this deal with the Cavaliers.
Denver could’ve continued to wait it out, potentially traded Christian Braun or Cameron Johnson to get under the second apron and either get a player in return or felt more comfortable in giving Watson a bigger raise, but decided to take a future first round pick from the Cavaliers instead.
They also could’ve waited out Watson in hopes that he would sign his qualifying offer, but they would’ve still needed to make other moves to get under the second apron, and would risk losing Watson for nothing next offseason when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
What’s Next For Denver
They are still a second apron team, but this will make it easier to get under the line and will come at a lower cost.
They are $2 million into the second apron at the moment. Zeke Nnaji makes $7.4 million and has barely played ten minutes per game over the last three seasons. The Nuggets might have to attach one of their newly acquired picks as a sweetener to get off his contract, but his deal is easier to move than Braun or Johnson, who were both reportedly in trade talks throughout the offseason.
Denver could still make other moves, including signing DeMar DeRozan, who they reportedly have interest in on a minimum deal.
Losing Watson certainly hurts their depth and overall team, and the return won’t inspire a lot of confidence after how last season ended.
