The Denver Nuggets are certainly having an interesting 2025-26 season. While the team hasn’t been at full strength without big players like Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets have certainly held out on their own.
Naturally, with the NBA Trade Deadline approaching, there are ample reports around possible trades, some more beneficial to the team than others.
What Are NBA Trade Rumors Hinting About an Interesting Offer for a Denver Nuggets Forward?
Considering the Nuggets’ semi-successful season, there’s bound to be some interest for players on their roster. And according to HoopsHype, there’s been some interest in Nuggets forward Peyton Watson.
“Despite several injuries to Denver’s starting lineup at various points this season, including Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson, Nuggets forward Peyton Watson has been a silver lining, seized his opportunity, and had a breakout season, averaging 13.8 points on an efficient 51.1 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from beyond the arc with 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game,” the report said.
They added that Watson has been generating a lot of talk, especially as he keeps the Nuggets alive without most of their arsenal.
“Watson has drawn significant interest on the trade market, but the Nuggets have rebuffed trade calls on the 23-year-old swingman and want to re-sign him in restricted free agency this summer, league sources told HoopsHype,” they added.
Of course, while teams are interested in signing Watson, the Nuggets need to make sure it’s beneficial to them. This includes their vision for the next few seasons, especially as they try to win another title after 2023.
One also has to factor in the team’s plan around Jokić. Though he is their offensive powerhouse, one can’t expect them to rely on the Serbian star forever. The team can look to making changes, and that can include parting ways with players like Watson.
Watson is currently signed to a four-year, $11,267,516 contract with the Nuggets with an average salary of $2,816,879.
Additionally, Watson is averaging 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 51.3% from the field and 40.9%Â from the three-point line.
Nikola Jokić’s Injury Will Ultimately Affect His MVP Chances
As mentioned, the Nuggets are currently struggling without most of their roster on the court. And with Jokić gone, they also lose their offensive powerhouse.
However, apart from the team’s performance, his absence will also rule him out of winning the MVP award again.
“One of many ripple effects of this Jokić injury is that he all but certainly won’t be eligible for awards voting, meaning the end of a run of five years finishing first or second in MVP voting,” NBA insider Tim Bontemps said about his injury.
Before his injury, Jokić was averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists while shooting 60.5% from the field.
