Draymond Inexperienced believes the Denver Nuggets made a calculated long-term determination by sending Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade that introduced again an unprotected 2031 first-round choose.
Talking on The Draymond Inexperienced Present, Inexperienced highlighted the worth of the long run choose whereas explaining why Denver might have most well-liked transferring Watson moderately than Cameron Johnson.
“The Nuggets picked up what lots of people view as an ideal, nice, nice asset which is the unprotected 2031 Cavaliers 1st spherical choose,” Inexperienced mentioned.
Watson signed a four-year, $88 million contract with Cleveland as a part of a five-team sign-and-trade accomplished August 21. Denver acquired Julian Reese, the unprotected 2031 Cleveland first-round choose and a 2032 Sacramento second-round choice, though Reese was waived by the Nuggets on August 28.
Inexperienced steered the timing of Watson’s contract performed an necessary position in Denver’s determination. The 23-year-old ahead was coming off a season wherein he averaged 14.6 factors, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks in 54 video games, together with 40 begins.
Watson additionally shot 49.1% from the sphere and 41.1% from three-point vary in 2025-26, a big enchancment from his first two NBA seasons. His growth helped set up him as a worthwhile two-way wing, however the measurement of his subsequent contract made his future value a central consideration for Denver.
“The Nuggets was deciding between Cam Johnson and Peyton Watson,” Inexperienced mentioned. “I feel the sentiment in Denver might be Peyton Watson subsequent deal is barely gonna go up from right here, Cam Johnson’s might revert again the other means so you may afford to maintain him longer.”
Johnson, 30, averaged 12.2 factors, 3.8 rebounds and a couple of.4 assists whereas taking pictures 48.0% from the sphere and 43.0% from three-point vary in 54 video games for Denver final season. He began all 54 video games he performed.
The Nuggets entered the offseason after ending third within the Western Convention at 54-28 however have been eradicated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in six video games within the first spherical. Denver has since reshaped its wing rotation, including DeMar DeRozan on a one-year, $3.9 million contract whereas shedding Watson and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Inexperienced additionally pointed to the broader implications of Cleveland’s determination to accumulate Watson. The Cavaliers went 52-30 in 2025-26, completed fourth within the Japanese Convention and reached the convention finals earlier than being swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks.
“The Cavs wanna compete and often when groups attempt to compete you’ve your window after which it goes to s***,” Inexperienced mentioned.
For Denver, the 2031 Cleveland first-round choose provides the franchise an asset that would change into more and more worthwhile because the Cavaliers’ present core ages.
The Nuggets now transfer ahead with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon as their established core whereas integrating DeRozan and reshaping the roster round them. The Watson commerce subsequently provides Denver each wage flexibility within the current and a probably vital draft asset for the following section of the franchise.
