The prevailing belief around the NBA has been that the Denver Nuggets were prepared to match any offer sheet for restricted free agent Peyton Watson to hold onto the emerging swingman. But don't slam the door shut just yet: The Nuggets are reportedly "very open" to a sign-and-trade deal if a rival team — perhaps the Chicago Bulls — wants to pry Watson out of the Mile High City.
That's according to Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription required), who offered the Los Angeles Lakers' acquisition of Walker Kessler as a comparison. The Jazz were determined to keep Kessler, but when LA came to the table with a trade package that included two first-round picks and two first-round swaps, Utah ultimately relented.
Bulls executive VP of basketball operations, Bryson Graham, shouldn't be willing to part with four first-round picks like the Lakers did for Kessler. But Watson is such a perfect fit for his rebuild project that bringing him to Chicago must remain an option.
Bulls could still swing a sign-and-trade with Nuggets for Peyton Watson
Graham seems to be done making big moves this summer, having used his cap space to trade for Nic Claxton, bring back Zach Collins and sign veteran guard Norman Powell. But he still has the assets to land Watson.
The 23-year-old averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks across 54 games last season. He shot 41.1 percent from 3-point range on an average of 3.6 attempts.
From Dec. 31 through Feb. 1, Watson averaged 22.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks while draining 46.2 percent of his 5.4 attempts per game.
The Bulls have enough assets to tempt Denver into negotiations. They have all their own first-round picks moving forward and a bevy of second-rounders. They have the contracts to make the money work with Collins ($8.5 million) and Isaac Okoro ($11.8 million) on expiring deals, and Patrick Williams ($18.0 million) and Tre Jones ($8.0 million) should also be available in discussions.
Powell, who's essentially on an expiring $22 million deal, can be traded anytime after Dec. 15.
Those contracts, along with a few future first-round picks, could be enough to convince Denver to part with Watson.
With the size (6-foot-8 and 200 pounds), length (7-foot-1 wingspan) and high-level athleticism Graham looks for in a player, Watson would be a snug fit alongside Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain. He's a versatile, active defender who can space the floor.
Watson makes sense as part of this Bulls rebuild, and he's reportedly still available for the right price if Chicago wants to bring him aboard.
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