A new team is in the mix for Peyton Watson
The ongoing saga of Peyton Watson's free agency has introduced no end of potential suitors and avenues for what his final destination could be and as time goes on.
The longer that Watson stays a free agent, the more teams there are to weigh in on him as he emerges as the best free agent still available and now another team has made even more preparations to be in the best position possible to try and make space for Watson on their roster.
The Cleveland Cavaliers recently traded Dennis Schroder and cash to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Tre Mann in a move that is primarily focused on salary dumping, but according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, their salary dumping could be specifically targeted at signing Watson in particular.
Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) and guard Jamal Murray (27) react in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesWhy That's A Problem for Denver
This would make things difficult for the Denver Nuggets. Among all of Watson's suitors, which have included the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks at various teams, among others, the Cavaliers stand out as the most attractive candidate to sign Watson, especially if they've freed up their financial situation even more.
The Clippers and Bucks are both rebuilding while the Lakers are in their own state of flux with a new ownership change, but the Cavaliers are an aggressive, playoff ready team with a talented roster that Watson would fit right into and with money to spare.
Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Lon Horwedel-Imagn ImagesThat could be bad for the Nuggets, not only because they would likely lose out at signing Watson themselves, but because the Cavaliers could also just outspend the Nuggets altogether to a point where the Nuggets wouldn't even be able to negotiate a sign-and-trade deal, forcing the Nuggets into a corner where they have to either spend more than they're comfortable with or risk losing Watson for nothing.
Why Delaying Was Bad
These are the kinds of issues that come with delaying Watson's free agency for so long and why the Nuggets needed to move more aggressively earlier in the offseason to lock down Watson before his market heated up to this extent.
Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) attempts a dunk over Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson (12) during the second half at Capital One Arena. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn ImagesNow the Nuggets are locked in a battle with a handful of teams more prepared to sacrifice and spend than the Nuggets are and as time drags on and the season grows closer, Denver is only losing negotiating power and growing more desperate.
Time is running out for both Nuggets and Watson to make any moves, but one thing is certain: there are plenty of interested teams.
