The Denver Nuggets signed Christian Braun to a large, five-year, $125 million contract extension before the season began. That looks like it could be a poor decision now in hindsight. But one podcaster unknowingly came up with a brilliant idea to get the Nuggets off that contract. It's too convenient for the Nuggets.
Sam Vecenie had a wild proposal that sounds sinister, but in reality, it gets the Nuggets out from under a huge chunk of salary, while retaining a building block for the future. He brought up the idea on the most recent edition of the "Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie," and what a theory it is.
What a sinister, yet convenient theory
The theory Vecenie proposed was for the Lakers to sign Peyton Watson in free agency at a lower price. But he says the Lakers should ask for Braun in a trade-back, take the contract, and get something in return for Watson, with P-Wat coming back to the Nuggets.
Vecenie then went tin foil hat, suggesting that if the Nuggets don't take the offer, the Lakers should get sinister. "If not, we're going to offer Peyton Watson, like, a massive restricted free agency offer, and push you way into the tax." Dirty.
But Vecenie must have forgotten how many Nuggets fans feel about Braun.
Where do the Nuggets say yes?
So this sounds almost too good to be true. If Braun were a restricted free agent like Watson, the Nuggets probably wouldn't be trying to re-sign him, or they'd have a fantastic discount, after his performance this season and in the playoffs.
Braun had an atrocious playoff series against the Timberwolves, scoring just 8.9 points a game. For the season, Watson averaged 14.9 points to Braun's 12.0. There's no comparison for how much better Watson looked than Braun.
It became clear in January, when Nikola Jokic missed most of the month with a knee injury, that Watson was the much more explosive offensive talent. Watson averaged 21.9 points over 15 games that month and even earned a Player of the Week award.
And that's before the defensive side of the equation comes into play. Braun couldn't apply any pressure against the Timberwolves guards, and they had a field day driving to the hoop.
The Nuggets were probably going to lose someone anyway
Most likely, the Nuggets were going to lose a starter or Watson this offseason thanks to their salary woes. They'd be far into the second apron tax to pay Watson what he is likely going to cost. Hence, the Lakers' sinister thought from Vecenie.
But he forgot that it breaks down to Watson versus Braun, and I think most Nuggets fans would take this scenario. Watson showed more flashes of upside in scoring and athleticism, and his perimeter defense is much better. This scenario would be too convenient for the Nuggets.
Add us as a preferred source on Google