[Bontemps] The Nuggets have never been big spenders; the belief around the NBA is Cam Johnson (1y/\(23m) or Christian Braun (5y/\)125m) is likely moved to give Watson something similar per-year. “They could easily just pay him and pay the tax, but we know how the Kroenkes operate” a West scout said.
Watson is one of the more intriguing free agents this summer, even though Denver can match any offer sheet. The 23-year-old fits one of the most coveted archetypes in the modern NBA – versatile 6-foot-8 wing – but retaining Watson and keeping the current roster intact would push Denver far into the luxury tax.
The Nuggets have never been big spenders, which is why the belief around the league is that Cameron Johnson (on an expiring \(23 million deal) or Christian Braun (on a five-year, \)125 million extension signed in the fall) is likely to be moved to create enough room to give Watson something in the per-year range of those players.
One point of potential concern is Watson’s recurring hamstring injuries, which cost him a large chunk of the second half. Unfortunately, the injury came right after the best stretch of his career in January and early February.
“They could easily just pay him and pay the tax, but we know how the Kroenkes operate,” a West scout said. “That means sending out either Johnson or Braun, and I don’t know where that lands. The injury stuff is a concern, but so is how they struggled without him.”