Nuggets trade brings stunning Peyton Watson admission from Rich Paul

Last week, the Denver Nuggets traded their 6-foot-8 power forward, Peyton Watson, to the Cleveland Cavaliers after he played the first four seasons of his NBA career in Denver.

In exchange, Denver received two future unprotected draft picks in 2031 and 2032. The trade also involved several other teams, including the Charlotte Hornets, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Washington Wizards; the latter sent two-way forward Julian Reese to the Nuggets.

While discussing the trade with co-host Max Keller on the “Game Over” podcast, Klutch Sports Group founder and agent Rich Paul explained the deal’s complexity with multiple teams. However, he also spoke about what his client was dealing with in the playoffs and his sitting out.

“He was a restricted free agent. You gotta remember, he did not finish the season,” Paul said. “He didn’t play in the playoffs. He was dealing with a hamstring injury, a soft tissue injury. And when you’re dealing with those injuries, you have to be very careful in your return.”

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“Guys want to play. You have to protect them from themselves in that moment, because you up for a contract, and it’s the playoffs, and I’ve had a pretty good year,” he also said about Watson’s situation with the Nuggets.

Watson’s past season saw a bump in minutes per game, resulting in career-best numbers. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and nearly a steal per game. In his fourth season, he also stayed consistent, averaging over a block per game.

Paul didn’t say he advised Watson not to play, but his commentary certainly seems to indicate that he was cautioning him about the business side of things and not jeopardizing a big money situation.

The payoff was nice for Watson, as ESPN’s NBA insider, Shams Charania, reported the Cavaliers signed Watson to a four-year $88 million deal soon after the trade went down this past week.

Learning that one of their key players chose not to participate in the Nuggets’ playoff run probably doesn’t sit well with many fans, who would’ve preferred to see him helping their cause. Denver lost in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, 4-2, to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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