Peyton Watson

skywalker33 · Post #21 » by **skywalker33** » Mon Apr 17, 2023 5:34 pm

Even though it was garbage time, PW was the first one off the end of the bench squad. Just a bit thought-provoking when contemplating what he might become next season. He showed some serious scoring potential in the G-league, perhaps he can become that for our bench next season, especially with the threat of losing BB this offseason.

skywalker33 · Post #22 » by **skywalker33** » Wed Jul 5, 2023 5:15 pm

Another nice writeup by Blackburn, this time news and incite on Peyton Watson. Looking forward to seeing him play in the SL, but it does appear he's growing in a very mature way.

https://milehighsports.com/the-denver-nuggets-are-betting-big-on-peyton-watsons-development-this-summer/

skywalker33 · Post #23 » by **skywalker33** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 3:42 pm

Surprising Peyton hasn't played in the past two games, guess they've seen what they were looking for.

skywalker33 · Post #24 » by **skywalker33** » Sat Oct 28, 2023 7:58 pm

Nice defensive game last night, 3 blocks and a couple of steals. Nine pts is just touching the surface IMO

TunaFish · Post #25 » by **TunaFish** » Sat Oct 28, 2023 11:59 pm

skywalker33 wrote:Nice defensive game last night, 3 blocks and a couple of steals. Nine pts is just touching the surface IMO

His 3 point shot looked pretty good, as well.

skywalker33 · Post #26 » by **skywalker33** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 1:46 am

Considering this essentially is his rookie year, looks like we may have gotten a steal at the 30th pick

TunaFish · Post #27 » by **TunaFish** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 2:02 am

skywalker33 wrote:Considering this essentially is his rookie year, looks like we may have gotten a steal at the 30th pick

Steal is correct. Braun as well, pretty good drafting alright as they have rebuilt Denver's bench.

skywalker33 · Post #28 » by **skywalker33** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 7:36 pm

TunaFish wrote:
skywalker33 wrote:Considering this essentially is his rookie year, looks like we may have gotten a steal at the 30th pick

Steal is correct. Braun as well, pretty good drafting alright as they have rebuilt Denver's bench.

This year's draft continues to add to that list, DEN continues to be one of the best drafting teams in the NBA

longtallbrad · Post #29 » by **longtallbrad** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:15 am

Bumping this thread to ask for some perspectives on Watson's development. I've had scant access to Nuggets games this season but have watched a couple, notice that he's worked his way into the rotation, and keep reading glowing reviews of at least his defensive contributions.

TunaFish · Post #30 » by **TunaFish** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 2:10 am

longtallbrad wrote:Bumping this thread to ask for some perspectives on Watson's development. I've had scant access to Nuggets games this season but have watched a couple, notice that he's worked his way into the rotation, and keep reading glowing reviews of at least his defensive contributions.

Impressive! He is raw but a talent that grows more impactful with playing time. Not too far from showing the full package in terms of skill, BBIQ and defense. His offensive game is where more growth is needed.

TunaFish · Post #31 » by **TunaFish** » Tue Nov 12, 2024 12:39 am

I think he has taken another step this season. Obviously, his outside shooting looks much improved and his confidence is apparent.

He looks like a starting power forward with 3 point range and he has ably replaced Gordon in the interim. Don't know if this is a blip or a a real advance.

skywalker33 · Post #32 » by **skywalker33** » Tue Nov 12, 2024 12:55 am

TunaFish wrote:I think he has taken another step this season. Obviously, his outside shooting looks much improved and his confidence is apparent.

He looks like a starting power forward with 3 point range and he has ably replaced Gordon in the interim. Don't know if this is a blip or a a real advance.

He is looking better in the starting lineup, and his confidence shows, but how much of that is playing directly with Joker ?

TunaFish · Post #33 » by **TunaFish** » Tue Nov 12, 2024 1:02 am

skywalker33 wrote:
TunaFish wrote:I think he has taken another step this season. Obviously, his outside shooting looks much improved and his confidence is apparent.

He looks like a starting power forward with 3 point range and he has ably replaced Gordon in the interim. Don't know if this is a blip or a a real advance.

He is looking better in the starting lineup, and his confidence shows, but how much of that is playing directly with Joker ?

A similar question was given to Braun who openly acknowledged the Jokic effect. I'm sure Watson would as well.

The fact is that Watson's 3 point shot has improved (i.e., 4 for 4 against Dallas). For how long he shoots well, we will see but the improvement suggests coaching and offseason work. Braun looks better as well.

skywalker33 · Post #34 » by **skywalker33** » Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:29 pm

TunaFish wrote:
skywalker33 wrote:Nice defensive game last night, 3 blocks and a couple of steals. Nine pts is just touching the surface IMO

His 3 point shot looked pretty good, as well.

Right now he is shooting a SOLID 39% from beyond the 3-pt arc, has 7 blocks AND 7 steals in the last 5 games and is getting better, not to mention averaging over 13pts per game while allowing AG to mend his hamstrings. THAT is solid depth.

skywalker33 · Post #35 » by **skywalker33** » Fri Jan 9, 2026 3:57 am

So, since the injury bug has hit the Nuggets, the last 7 games P-SWat has average over 20ppg, so now a few questions need to be addressed:

Can/will Peyton continue this type of scoring streak ?

When Cam comes back, does he get the SF position back ?

Did we sign the wrong FA, giving the $125MM to Braun instead of PW ?

Will KSE go into the 2nd apron or does one of Braun/Cam/Watson get traded ?

Thoughts ??

DaFan334 · Post #36 » by **DaFan334** » Sat Jan 10, 2026 8:39 pm

skywalker33 wrote:So, since the injury bug has hit the Nuggets, the last 7 games P-SWat has average over 20ppg, so now a few questions need to be addressed:

Can/will Peyton continue this type of scoring streak ?

When Cam comes back, does he get the SF position back ?

Did we sign the wrong FA, giving the $125MM to Braun instead of PW ?

Will KSE go into the 2nd apron or does one of Braun/Cam/Watson get traded ?

Thoughts ??

My thoughts, Peyton can probably continue with this usage unless teams start planning for him, which I am sure they will, more so.

I think Cam is probably still your starter, but who knows, Peyton might be the better choice due to his shot blocking ability, but it might even be a match-up thing. This is a good problem to have.

As for CB vs Watson, I think that is hard to say given CBs injury. At the time, I thought that with the way the middle-tier players weren't getting paid a lot, that CB probably should have been given less per year. I personally thought his deal should have been a little less than Dyson Daniels, who also got $25/year (4-year deal). That said, I don't know what PWat wanted, but I could have seen it being better to have signed him and waited for CB to hit restricted FA and see what his market value is. The development of PWat probably makes that easier said than done, as we hadn't seen what we have seen this season.

As for the offseason, I think this really gives the Nuggets more flexibility. The Nuggets could probably resign Peyton to a decent deal, especially if mid-tier free agents again don't get paid very much, like this offseason, something around $15-20M a year, and then move Cam for value elsewhere. JVs expiring also gives them more flexibility to make moves. I think in the long run, Peyton seems like the better option over Cam, given his age and somewhat similar playing style. That said, Cam would still be very valuable.

NuggetsWY · Post #37 » by **NuggetsWY** » Sun Jan 11, 2026 6:28 am

skywalker33 wrote:So, since the injury bug has hit the Nuggets, the last 7 games P-SWat has average over 20ppg, so now a few questions need to be addressed:

Can/will Peyton continue this type of scoring streak ?

When Cam comes back, does he get the SF position back ?

Did we sign the wrong FA, giving the $125MM to Braun instead of PW ?

Will KSE go into the 2nd apron or does one of Braun/Cam/Watson get traded ?

Thoughts ??

Unfortunately, my crystal ball only works with hindsight.

Peyton -- scoring streak continue? Nope, but that doesn't mean his value goes down. I do believe he will remain 15 ppg assuming 20+ mpg.

Cam start or Peyton? Cam -- because the front office is paying him more and I don't think coach is ready to make them look like they made a mistake --- Oh yeah, I think Cam is the better player, but not by as much as I thought when we acquired him.

Braun or Peyton signing choice? Tough call. I tend to spend more money on players that can contribute as a PF or Center. There are lots of guards and swings out there. But Peyton can play SF or PF and that's valuable. On the other hand, I did not object to the signing of Braun. My prejudice for bigs does not eliminate my ability to see those special guards and swings. I think Braun is one of those. His contributions are not measured only by his stats.

KSE values their $$$ more than anything (see also Dish conflict). If I had to place a bet on what they do; I'd say they trade Braun (and maybe Johnson) and let Watson sign with someone else. That will allow them to buy another yacht. -- That is not all bitter talk either. I think they will only keep one of those three -- how they do that? I guess that depends on how much influence they allow the GM.

Post #38 » by **THE J0KER** » Sun Jan 11, 2026 6:10 pm

Watson exploded in 2026, and it's just a coincidence that the breakthrough happened when Jokic was injured. A player whose 3p% in his career is below 35% in 2026 has an incredible 48% even though he's shooting more than ever (of course, no one expects his 3p% to stay at 50%, but 40% in the coming seasons would be fantastic).

What's best after a very bad start to the season, and CJ had outstanding TS% and 3p% percentages in the last few games before the injury, we remember last season's breakthrough Braun, of course, there's AG. We now have MVP Jokic, All-Star Murray, and 4 excellent 3&D players (it doesn't matter who comes off the bench because we can provide 30+ MPG for him, and a candidacy for the best 6th player in the NBA). We are a TOP3 contender for a reason!

Mac1958 · Post #39 » by **Mac1958** » Wed Jan 14, 2026 9:33 am

Another 31 against the Pels. 11/16 FG, 2 steals, 7 rebs, 5 assists, a blocked shot.

I really do try to be cautious and not over-react about this stuff.

At what point does this become what we really have here?

skywalker33 · Post #40 » by **skywalker33** » Wed Jan 14, 2026 10:05 pm

Mac1958 wrote:Another 31 against the Pels. 11/16 FG, 2 steals, 7 rebs, 5 assists, a blocked shot.

I really do try to be cautious and not over-react about this stuff.

At what point does this become what we really have here?

Realistically, the scheme Adleman deploys will determine where P-Wat fits into what he can become. He's shown over the past 20-something games what kind of potential he has but didn't MPJ have that same potential under the Malone regime, only to be unleashed in BKN this year ? We already have Jokic as our Batman, Murray as our Robin, and AG as our Alfred (best Batman analogy I could come up with for him) as well as some other serious depth beyond adding P-Wat's star, so how/where does he fit in to continue his development ?