The Denver Nuggets entered the 2024-25 regular season facing a relatively consistent stream of criticism. Many questioned how Russell Westbrook fit and what Denver had done to account for the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, in the same breath posing questions about the quality of the Nuggets' youth movement.
In the midst of a breakout season, 22-year-old forward Peyton Watson is receiving a new kind of green light as he proves those critics wrong.
Entering his third season with the Nuggets, few expected Watson to become the player he has. There have been flashes of brilliance in the past, but consistency has eluded the former McDonald's All-American, primarily on the offensive end of the floor.
In recent weeks, however, Denver has encouraged Watson to embrace a more aggressive approach on offense. Head coach Michael Malone recently spoke about Watson in great detail:
“In today’s NBA, everybody thinks about the three-point line so much, and I think for Peyton Watson, have an attack mindset in transition. Put pressure on the defense, put pressure on the rim, get to the free throw line. And then when the ball finds you off a drive and kick, or Jamal Murray's being double-teamed, or Nikola's being double-teamed, find your shot and step into it with confidence."
Equipped with the confidence of a coaching staff that continues to empower him to succeed, Watson is making something of a leap.
Peyton Watson is transforming Nuggets' offense
Watson is currently averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 three-point field goals made in just 24.0 minutes per game. That's an accurate reflection of how he's given the Nuggets a bit of everything in 2024-25.
The crucial context to what's made Watson's 2024-25 camaign so intriguing, however, is that those numbers are consistent with his career averages—on a different basis.
Watson is averaging 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 offensive boards, 2.2 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes. Those are almost identical numbers to his career marks of 12.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 offensive boards, 2.1 assists, 2.1 blocks, 1.0 steal, and 1.1 three-point field goals made per 36.
That may paint the picture that Watson hasn't actually made progress, but as Malone noted, it's all about consistency, mentality, and confidence.
Watson finished the 2023-24 campaign shooting at a clip of .465/.296/.670. Thus far in 2024-25, he's improved his efficiency across the board, converting shots at a rate of .483/.377/.695—and recent games are showing just how significant those numbers truly are.
Having found more confidence in himself as a scorer, Watson is averaging 13.7 points per game over the Nuggets' past six outings.
Watson scored at least 12 points in five of those six games, including the career-high 24 he dropped against the surging Chicago Bulls. He's making plays in transition, shooting without fear when his number is called, and proving that the Nuggets are deeper than anticipated.
If Watson can sustain this quality into the playoffs, then the Nuggets will silence their critics and enter the playoffs with an X-Factor few expected to thrive in such a prominent role.