Kofi Inkoom
Following the decision to exercise Christian Braun’s third-year option on Tuesday, the Denver Nuggets have also opted to activate Peyton Watson’s third-year team option today, according to a report by Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.
This decision does not change Watson’s situation for the upcoming season, but it does guarantee his salary of $2,413,560 for the 2024/25 season.
Peyton Watson, a wing standing at 6’8, completed a single college season at UCLA. In the 2022 NBA Draft, he was the last first-round selection, being chosen as the 30th overall pick.
During his rookie season with the Nuggets in the previous year, Watson participated in 23 games, with an average of 8.1 minutes of playing time, contributing 3.3 points per game and 1.6 rebounds per game.
Additionally, he made five brief playoff appearances as part of Denver’s championship-winning campaign in the 2022/23 season.
At the age of 21, Watson gained more significant experience in the G League, participating in 19 games with the Denver affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold.
The Nuggets hold a high regard for Watson, recognizing his exceptional athleticism and considerable potential in terms of defense.
It is plausible that he might become a part of the regular rotation in his second year, and various sources have highlighted the young forward as a possible hidden asset for the Nuggets in the upcoming season.
Continuing their preseason campaign, the Nuggets are gearing up to go head-to-head with the Chicago Bulls in their upcoming matchup tomorrow.