[Amick] Sources: The Nuggets plan to match Peyton Watson offers, but are also open to sign-and-trade scenarios. While it’s unclear how many teams are pursuing Watson, only the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers have the salary-cap space to submit the offer sheet he wants.
The Denver Nuggets intend to match any offers for restricted free agent Peyton Watson when the NBA’s moratorium lifts on Monday, said league sources who were granted anonymity to discuss the ongoing negotiations.
However, the Nuggets and Watson’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, remain apart in contract negotiations, the sources told The Athletic, and Denver is open to a sign-and-trade for the 23-year-old forward. As we’ve seen several times this offseason, the rules relating to restricted free agency have created a challenging landscape for players in that position.
While it’s unclear how many teams are pursuing Watson, only the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers have the salary-cap space to submit the offer sheet he wants. The Clippers, league sources said, have shown legitimate interest in Watson but are also navigating their own restricted free agency situation with Bennedict Mathurin, which complicates matters. Several teams are known to have registered interest in a sign-and-trade for Watson.
Around the league, there has been a widespread belief that the Nuggets would be motivated to avoid the second apron by shedding salary this summer. But as The Athletic reported in June, Denver’s ownership has not given its front office, which is led by Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace, a mandate to cut costs. That messaging has become even more meaningful in recent days, as the Nuggets are considered to be among the teams still in the running for unrestricted free agent LeBron James (who, coincidentally, is also represented by Paul).