RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Peyton Watson was one of the standout stories for the Denver Nuggets last season. It could have been even better, though. Unfortunately, he got injured midway through the season and had to sit out several games.
The 2022 30th pick had a career season for the Nuggets as a supporting cast member alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokic . He spent the first half of the season as a candidate for the Most Improved Player award. He had the opportunity to step up due to injuries to starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.
Unfortunately for him, he also suffered a hamstring injury in February. He returned after six weeks but got hurt again by April.
He tried his best to recover so he could help the Nuggets, but he eventually sat out the playoffs, a decision made by his agent, Rich Paul.
Paul, whose most famous client is LeBron James, said Watson had to sit out because of his upcoming contract.
“Guys want to play, and you have to protect them from themselves in that moment,” Paul said during an appearance in the Game Over podcast a week ago.
“Because you’re 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 that.”
Jan 30, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Peyton Watson provides more detail on injury before playoffs
Paul’s statements were criticized by some. They thought it was all about money for his camp.
Watson was critical to the Nuggets securing the No. 3 spot in the playoffs and gaining home-court advantage. They faced the undermanned Minnesota Timberwolves but were eliminated in six games.
Was it really about money? It turns out there was more to the story.
Watson sat down with former teammate Michael Porter Jr. and shared a story about how the Nuggets front office was ready to put him and his future at risk just so he could be there in the postseason.
“Two or three weeks into my rehab, I felt like they were ramping me back up too quickly, but at the same time, I know that I’m young and I do heal pretty fast,” he said in the teaser released by MPJ.
“Two or three weeks into my hamstring rehab, I was out there playing with the coaches and felt a little tweak. I felt like that was kind of a minor setback that I didn’t really want to accept.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. with ex teammate Peyton Watson Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
“I remember feeling pressure to get back and get some games under my belt to warm up before the playoffs.”
The 22-year-old eventually got the money. He had a salary demand of around $25 million. The Nuggets tried to keep him, but their financial situation was just too difficult to overcome.
Watson is now going to continue his rise with the Cleveland Cavaliers after signing a four-year, $88 million deal with the Eastern Conference contenders.
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