The Denver Nuggets’ asking price for Peyton Watson could prevent the Los Angeles Clippers from striking a sign-and-trade deal for him, The Stein Line’s Jake Fisher reported Friday.
According to Fisher, the Clippers “are hungry for Watson and have expressed interest in the deal… worth over $25 million per season that Watson is said to want.”
However, Fisher noted that the Nuggets’ asking price is “too high for the Clippers to seriously consider.”
As the Clippers’ interest wanes, the Atlanta Hawks have reportedly “showed renewed interest” in a potential contract, according to Fisher.
According to Fisher, the Nuggets are hoping for a sign-and-trade return similar to the one the Utah Jazz recently received when they sent Walker Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers gave up two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round picks for the right to sign Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract.
According to Fisher, there is now an “increasing likelihood” that the Clippers will turn their attention to re-signing restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin rather than pursuing Watson.
Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 54 games last season before his breakout season was derailed by a lingering hamstring injury.
He is currently a restricted free agent who, as previously reported by Fisher and Marc Stein, is asking for more than $25 million per year.
This amount could take the Nuggets to the second apron. Spotrac projects the team to currently have about $12.7 million in cap space.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick previously reported that Nuggets ownership did not allow the team to remain below the second apron this offseason.
Amick also said last week that the Nuggets are “very open to the prospect of a sign-and-trade” for Watson but plan to match any offer and maintain their “primary hope” of keeping him on the roster.
How willing the Nuggets are to go beyond the second apron to retain Watson may depend on their reported pursuit of star free agent LeBron James.
The Nuggets could offer a $3.9 million veteran’s minimum exception to James, who is reportedly willing to take a minimum contract to play for a contender, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Shams Charania.
If James signs with Denver for a chance to play with Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets may be more willing to overcome the second-round penalty to build a winning lineup around the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.