NBA Rumors have been swirling around the Denver Nuggets’ free agent Peyton Watson. Perhaps the most expensive free agent still on the board, teams are navigating the best way to approach a deal with the talented wing. These three landing spots would be the best fit for Watson.
Peyton Watson contract projection: $27 million annual average
The Los Angeles Clippers have been the team with the most connections to Watson. A majority of these rumors, however, came before the team signed Rui Hachimura. Are they still interested in the talented wing? And would they be willing to give up the amount it will cost to get him after getting Hachimura on a relatively cheap deal? The Clippers lack a majority of their own draft capital coming up, so there’s no use in sitting back and losing.
The Los Angeles Lakers rumors are seemingly never going to end this offseason. They have been connected to nearly every free agent and trade candidate possible. This time it’s Watson. A sign-and-trade may be too pricey for them this time, however. Jonathan Kuminga seems to be their top option on a cheaper deal.
The Memphis Grizzlies are in one of the best situations, cap-wise, in the NBA. They can take on Watson for extremely cheap, and have a perfect contract to do so: The Jerami Grant contract, which was acquired from the Portland Trailblazers in the Ja Morant trade, could match up perfectly with Watson’s projection. Grant would return to Denver, where he had great success next to Nikola Jokic.
Check out Spotrac for a full look at the Grizzlies cap situation.
The Nuggets keeping Watson is very much in the table if they can’t reach an agreement on his worth. External teams may simply not be willing to give up the money or the trade pieces it will take to get him. If that’s the case, a return to Denver almost seems likely. Until then, these three spots are ones to monitor.
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