The Denver Nuggets allowed a layup line from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, and were bounced much earlier than anyone would have thought. Most of the damage was done by the Timberwolves' wings and Ayo Dosunmu. The Nuggets could have really used one of their top defenders, Peyton Watson, who was out nursing a right hamstring strain. But he may have had someone in his ear letting him know that if he wasn't fully 100%, then maybe he shouldn't go out there and give it a go.
At least that is what it sounds like from the latest episode of Game Over With Max Kellerman and Rich Paul. Paul is Watson's agent, so this is straight from the source (at around the 10- to 11-minute mark).
Here’s Rich Paul basically admitting he advised Peyton Watson to not return in the playoffs because he was set to sign a big offer. An insight into the business side of basketball. pic.twitter.com/d8DYx33h6y
— Damien Peters (@DamienPetersNBA) August 22, 2026
The podcast duo was discussing Watson and the particulars of his sign-and-trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and what went into getting the deal done. And then Kellerman and Paul delved into Watson missing the playoffs and sitting out because of his hamstring injury.
"He (Watson) was dealing with a soft tissue injury. And when you're dealing with those injuries, you have to be very careful in your return. Now, mind you, the playoffs was coming up, guys want to play, and you have to protect them from themselves in that moment because you up for a contract, and it's the playoffs, and "I've had a pretty good year, so I need to play." And it's important to protect them," Paul said.
Watson was likely advised to sit out by Paul
Now, nobody knows how injured Watson was except for Watson, the trainers, and perhaps others on the Nuggets. And likely his agent, Paul. But it sounds like Watson wanted to go out there to play and help his teammates.
But straight from the source, we have Paul basically saying he was advising Watson not to go out there and jeopardize his chances of getting his big contract. The duo was talking about business decisions and basically labeled this one as such. But how bad would he re-injure the hamstring? Surely, not bad enough to miss any time this upcoming season, right? We aren't talking about coming back from an ACL surgery or anything.
This is very frustrating to hear as a fan
It's really rather infuriating as a fan that this may have been the case. Multiple injured Nuggets gave it a go. Again, we don't know how bad Watson was, but if he wanted to play, he should have been allowed to play.
Aaron Gordon, Mr. Nugget, was dragging himself out onto the court to do whatever he could on an injured left calf. He missed Game 3 only to return in Game 4 for 23 minutes, but he gave it a go. Christian Braun said he was playing hurt during the series. It's the playoffs, who's really 100%?
We even saw during the season that Nikola Jokic had ice on his injured wrist during timeouts. For Watson not to play as "protection" for a contract during the offseason is ridiculous.
The Nuggets gave Watson their business decision. It looks good now
The Nuggets were rumored to have only come in at four years, $70 million, while Watson ended up signing with the Cavs for four years, $88 million. The Nuggets must have had a line in the sand they didn't want to cross, and perhaps Watson's playoff absence was one of the reasons the Nuggets decided not to cross it and to get what they could from the Cavs in return for Watson.
Watson and Paul gave the Nuggets their business decision. The Nuggets gave Watson theirs. I'd say it's a good one from my point of view. The Nuggets stuck to their guns and didn't add a potentially bad contract to a roster that already has more than enough.
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