Peyton Watson's restricted free agency is starting to carry real pressure for Denver.
Marc Stein reported that league sources say Watson has been weighing the idea of playing next season on his $6.5 million qualifying offer. That path would let him become an unrestricted free agent next summer instead of locking into a longer deal now.
The early gap is the problem. Denver's initial pitches were believed to be around $70 million over four years, according to Stein, while Watson's market has been discussed much higher in recent weeks. The Nuggets still control the restricted-free-agency process, but only if Watson wants to keep negotiating inside it.
For Denver, this is not just a bench-piece decision. Watson gives the roster size, defense and wing athleticism around Nikola Jokic, and the Nuggets are already working under a tighter salary picture. A qualifying offer would keep Watson for one more year, but it would also remove long-term cost certainty.
The next move belongs to Watson's camp as much as Denver's front office.
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