As the Denver Nuggets seek to regroup this offseason, they face a number of questions surrounding their roster. One question the team has to deal with is the status of Peyton Watson, who is set to become a restricted free agent.
On Thursday, insider Brett Siegel reported that the Nuggets are looking to offer Watson a contract “somewhere north of $28-30 million per year.” This report did not sit well with some Nuggets fans, who are of the view that Watson hasn’t done enough to earn that type of deal. One fan even brought up Christian Braun’s $125 million extension last year as they protested the Watson news.
In the 2025-26 regular season, Watson averaged a career-high 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. However, it was a different story in the playoffs: In just 14.2 minutes per outing, Watson saw his numbers declining to 4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, and 0.3 apg.
Aside from Watson, the Nuggets have to make a decision on Aaron Gordon. In the early goings of last season, Gordon showed flashes of All-Star potential; ultimately, his 2025-26 campaign was derailed by injuries that limited him to 36 games.
Nevertheless, Gordon has increased his trade stock, and his name has popped up in recent trade rumors. The Celtics, the Clippers, and the Spurs have been linked to the high-flying, one-time NBA champion. Indeed, it’s possible that neither Watson nor Gordon will be suiting up for the Nuggets when the new season tips off in October.
“Keeping Peyton Watson Is the Number One Goal”: Analyst Makes Bold Claim Regarding Nuggets Forward
As far as Nuggets podcaster Harrison Wind is concerned, the Nuggets need to pull out all the stops to retain Watson’s services. On a recent episode of the DNVR Nuggets podcast, Wind made a bold claim regarding the four-year pro.
“Keeping Peyton Watson is the number one goal, and if it doesn’t happen, it’s going to be a monumental failure.”
Wind added that it would be “insane” if the Nuggets allowed the restricted free agent to “go for nothing.”
READ MORE:
5 Nuggets Players Will Be Trade Bait This Offseason After Humiliating First-Round Exit
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