Denver Nuggets guard reveals message he got from Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson is hoping to make an impact in his second season as a pro. After Denver’s first training-camp practice, Watson turned to star center Nikola Jokic for advice regarding how he can earn his trust.

DNVR’s Harrison Wind detailed the conversation between the two Nuggets teammates.

“You’re gonna have to do the things that nobody else wants to do,” Jokic responded.

Jokic’s simple response is something that the 21-year-old guard intends to hold on to.

“I’ll never forget what he said to me and it’s something I’ll always keep with me,” Watson told Wind. “It’s coming from one of the greatest players ever to touch on basketball. He’s taken me under his wing. He wants the best for me and knows that I’m gonna have a big role this year.”

Peyton Watson is primed for a solid season for the Denver Nuggets

All signs point to Watson inheriting some extra minutes for Denver this season. The Nuggets lost both Bruce Brown and Jeff Green in free agency, then Vlatko Cancar went down with a torn ACL, later in the summer.

In his rookie season, Watson didn’t get a ton of chances to prove himself. He suited up just 23 times for Denver, playing about 8.1 minutes in each appearance. He did see more time in the NBA 2K24 Summer League and made the most of it. Denver’s No. 8 averaged 19 points per game across two runs for the summer squad.

Plus, according to Wind, Watson has gotten stronger over the past year.

“Peyton Watson put on 20 pounds of muscle over the last year: “Playing the 3 and the 4, having to guys like AG. I don’t need any help. I don’t need a double. I’m holding my own,” he said today.”