Denver Nuggets’ beat writer Bennett Durando for ‘The Denver Post’ reported that power forward Peyton Watson is on pace for an expensive contract. The Nuggets may explore other options, and if the LA Clippers stay optimistic and tell themselves with confidence that Watson will choose them, maybe he will.
Watson will be a restricted free agent, but that may be a non-factor for the Nuggets. Lawrence Frank just has to send the defensive stud a double-figure contract, inches beyond Denver’s price range, and they will not have to worry about a matched offer from the 2023 champions.
Thus, Watson is a role player with a Derrick Jones Jr.-esque feel; he does not need a ton of minutes to score ten points on efficient splits and play phenomenal defense, leaving a well-rounded impact.
Peyton Watson is the LA Clippers’ 2026 dream free agent
A former champion, there is no doubt that Peyton Watson would be open to playing on the West Coast. In free agency, every player is usually eager to return home, and for Watson, that is the Beverley Hills area, close to UCLA and Inglewood, California.
This season, Watson has averaged 10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, shooting 51.5% from the field and 41.1% from beyond the arc.
James Harden would also be Watson's facilitator, who makes plays like the guard version of Nikola Jokic. The backdoor cuts, alley-oops, and full-court dimes would still be there for the 23-year-old wing in Los Angeles.
If the LA Clippers’ front office combines the factors of his age and two-way prowess, they will easily cut out $15 million from their pockets in the summer to pay Watson. He would be worth every penny on any contract under $20 million annually, and Lawrence Frank should keep bidding up until this point.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers will be a threat to the Clippers in their pursuit of Watson. They also have a hole at power forward, and may look for an upgrade over Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Additionally, the Lakers are projected to have over $50 million in their budget, so competition for Watson in Los Angeles is predicted to be lofty.
That said, the Clippers should already be thinking about Watson. Late December is not too early for Lawrence Frank to pave the pathway LA will walk on through an expected uphill, eventful summer of prosperous signings.