There might be only one major move left for the Denver Nuggets this offseason, and that is whether they retain or sign-and-trade Peyton Watson. However, even bringing him back wouldn't address their lack of a reliable shot creator behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
The problem did not seem to be as pressing as it actually is in the 2025-26 regular season. The Nuggets finished second in the league in field-goal percentage (49.6 percent), fourth in assists (29.0 per game), and third in turnovers (12.9 per game).
Once the playoffs arrived, though, it was a different story.
The Minnesota Timberwolves exposed the Nuggets' dearth of offensive juice, holding them to a measly 43.6 percent from the field. The scary thought is that even if they were able to eke past Minnesota, two other teams that also had elite paint protectors and perimeter defenders would have awaited them in either of the next two rounds.
Would Watson, who sat the Nuggets-Wolves series, have made a difference? It's tough to say, although it would have been nice if he were healthy enough to play and prove worthy of the contract he is reportedly seeking this summer.
Nuggets have barely any options left
But that's the thing: even if Watson returns, Denver would still be bereft of someone adept at either creating shots for himself or opening scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Behind Murray in the point guard depth chart is the former assist-to-turnover-ratio king Tyus Jones. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old vet has looked washed in the past couple of years. Relying on him to run the offense may be a tad foolish for a squad hoping to be a legitimate championship contender.
Maybe the Nuggets can take a flyer on Ben Simmons? After all, he used to be one of the league's premier playmakers (and a two-time All-Defensive First Team selection at that) before he inexplicably lost his mojo. But who knows what kind of player he is right now after tough battles with injuries and lost confidence.
Another dilemma for Denver is that pursuing solutions via free agency would entail significant financial risk for the franchise. Keep in mind that its decision to match the Oklahoma City Thunder's two-year, $12 million deal offer sheet for erstwhile restricted free agent Spencer Jones placed it on the second apron and tacked on $32 million to its luxury tax bill.
The situation appears to be dire for the Nuggets on the ball-handling, shot-creating front. On the bright side, it's hard to bet against a team led by a future Hall of Famer still in his prime and who is surrounded by talented pieces. Whether Watson continues to be a part of that group once the regular season starts remains to be seen.
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