One of the top priorities of the offseason for the Denver Nuggets is to re-sign Peyton Watson to a long-term contract. The expected price range for Watson has been swinging widely of late, with speculation as low as $18-20 million per year, and as high as $35 million per year. But a string of moves by teams expected to be courting Watson alongside the Nuggets could squeeze their cap space and lead to a lower, easier offer for the Nuggets to match to hang on to P-Wat.
Watson will be a restricted free agent, putting the ball in the Nuggets' court to re-sign him or let him go for at least the hope of a sign-and-trade at worst.
But the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers, all teams ESPN's Bobby Marks has put on the radar as potential suitors alongside the Nuggets, have made moves that have used up more of their cap space, and that could be great news as the Nuggets likely look to save every bit of salary that they can.
Every little bit of salary savings counts for the Nuggets
The Nuggets are pressed right up against the NBA's second apron penalty threshold before re-signing Watson, and, of course, getting back under the mark will be more difficult the more the Nuggets have to pay Watson in 2026-27. That's why any million here, a couple of hundred thousand there, is crucial for the Nuggets to avoid every last dime of tax penalties and roster constraints that come with violating the second apron.
But the Minnesota Timberwolves salary dump trade of Julius Randle's $33.3 million to the Nets added $10 million to the Nets' payroll for 2026-27 after they also sent Nic Claxton and his $23.3 million to the Bulls in the same trade. Both teams added a sizeable chunk of salary for next season.
The Lakers also made a splash by agreeing to a contract extension with Austin Reaves that will pay him approximately $41-43 million next season. Plus, the Lakers also have to worry about keeping LeBron, and he likely won't stay in Tinseltown on a discount.
The moves may not seem like much, but every bit of savings on Watson's contract will add up next season.
Those moves are good news for the Nuggets
That's all good news for the Nuggets, who have yet to make any splash, or ripple, or anything, outside of trading down in the draft from 26 to 35 to draft Trevon Brazile and acquire two future second-round picks from the San Antonio Spurs.
One other reason for the trade that the Nuggets may be playing coy about is that it took guaranteed money off the table for them, and lowered the minimum they need to pay a rookie if they choose to hold onto him. It's a savvy move that could save around $1.7 million next year.
The Nuggets are going to need to save every penny, and even if they only save a million or two on Watson next season, that may be all they need in the end.
Add us as a preferred source on Google