Since being drafted, Peyton Watson has had his moments, but until now, he has never carved out a consistent, meaningful role in the rotation. In a way, he was a victim of the team’s success as he walked into a title team where every minute mattered. He never got extended run and a real chance to prove what he could do with a bigger role.
But that appears to finally be changing this season, whether the Nuggets like it or not. Watson has already played his way into a key bench role, but now, with injuries to multiple starters in Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, Watson has been thrust into a starting role.
He’s replacing a lot of defense, energy, and effort that the team is going to be desperately lacking without CB and AG. Watson is well qualified to fill that role, but thanks to need and his own play, he’s going to get an expanded role on offense as well.
P-Wat has been shooting the ball well and operating much more as an initiator, where he has thrived. Getting heavy minutes every night, for at least the next month, Watson has his first real chance to prove what he could be in a more prominent role.
That’s more important than ever as Watson is set to become a restricted free agent. The Nuggets don’t seem willing to spend what it will take to keep Petyon in Denver, so this may be his best chance to audition for a bigger role and a bigger contract in a new home next season.
Watson playing for his next contract
There’s a real chance that if Watson crushes it over the next few weeks, a team could convince itself that Watson could be a top-three option, and that all he ever needed was a chance. He’s still just 23 years old, and he should only grow into his long, athletic frame.
If this offense we’ve seen lately is sustainable, there’s reason to believe that Watson could be a true, two-way engine for a team that’s looking to build up. It’s exciting for Watson, and a great opportunity that he has absolutely earned.
It’s not impossible for him to return to the Nuggets, but a lot of things would have to happen, including some departures for big-money players. After giving a new deal to Braun in the offseason, then opting not to extend Watson, it sent a clear message that the team is prepared to lose P-Wat in the offseason.
But if he proves that he is indispensable in the coming weeks and beyond, the Nuggets will change it up on the fly and make sure they do what it takes to keep Watson with the team that drafted him.