The Nuggets picked up Watson's (hamstring) $4.36 million team option for 2025-26 on Thursday, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.
Watson is officially on the books for Denver for two more seasons after averaging 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 18.6 minutes across 80 appearances during his second NBA campaign in 2023-24. He'll likely serve as one of the Nuggets' top big men off the bench during the upcoming season.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Absent Sunday
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Watson (hamstring) didn't play in Sunday's 130-104 preseason loss to the Celtics in Abu Dhabi.
Watson has been dealing with a minor hamstring injury, limiting his participation in training camp. The 22-year-old is expected back for the start of the regular season, though his status for next Sunday's preseason game against the Suns is unclear.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Absent from preseason opener
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Watson (hamstring) didn't play in Friday's preseason opener against the Celtics.
Watson has also been absent from practice due to minor hamstring discomfort, so it wasn't surprising to see him sit out Friday's preseason opener. His next chance to suit up will be Sunday's preseason rematch with Boston.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Absent from practice
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Watson didn't participate in Friday's practice due to minor hamstring discomfort, Adam Mares of DenverStiffs.com reports.
Watson's injury being described as "minor" indicates he isn't in danger of missing any regular-season action, though the 22-year-old forward is expected to miss at least the first two preseason matchups. Watson will be a primary backup in Denver's forward rotation this season.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Logs 13 points as bench empties
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Watson finished with 13 points (6-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists, five blocks and one steal across 27 minutes during Saturday's 142-110 victory over Atlanta.
Watson will rarely post numbers this high, but the lopsided total gave him extra playing time Saturday evening. Aaron Gordon's (foot) injury also allowed for more time on the floor. The 2022 first-round pick has seen a sharp increase in all his 2023-24 season averages, but the 21-year-old still sits far outside fantasy viability.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Rough night Friday
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Watson posted zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes during Friday's 111-98 loss to the Timberwolves.
Watson had no impact in the loss, failing to score in 11 minutes. While he has flashed some upside this season, his role continues to cause frustration. He is unlikely to have any fantasy value for the remainder of the season but should be monitored by anyone playing in a dynasty format as a potential buy-low candidate.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Top scorer off bench in victory
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Watson totaled 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal across 17 minutes during Thursday's 115-109 victory over Boston.
Watson led all bench players in Thursday's contest in scoring while recording a team-best pair of blocks in a bench-high-tying minute total. Watson has reached double-figures in scoring 14 times this season, 13 of which have come off the bench. Wednesday marked the third time he has reached double figures in scoring while also recording two or more blocks.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Back in bench role
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Watson isn't starting Monday's game against the Bucks.
Watson will retreat to his usual bench role with Michael Porter cleared to play Monday evening. Watson failed to do much with his spot start Friday, finishing with four points, three boards, one assist, one steal and three blocks in 20 minutes.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Makes little impact in defeat
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Watson accumulated four points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal over 20 minutes during Friday's 135-106 loss to the Kings.
Watson was called upon to fill the gap left by Michael Porter (knee) and did little with 20 minutes of court time. The Nuggets have stuck with the 2022 first-round pick and have increased his opportunities during his second season, and while he has shown flashes of promise, the UCLA product's opportunities are limited on a crowded depth chart.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Starting against Kings
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Watson will start Friday's game against the Kings.
The Nuggets are without Michael Porter (knee) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring), so Watson and Justin Holiday will join the first unit. In three previous starts this season, Watson averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.0 steals and 2.0 three-pointers.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Plays well again
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Watson amassed 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt), six rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 30 minutes during Sunday's 112-103 win over the Trail Blazers.
Watson continues to earn more minutes for Denver with his terrific play on both ends of the court. Over his past five games, Watson compiled averages of 10.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 23.3 minutes.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Available Sunday
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Watson (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Watson held a probable tag ahead of Sunday's bout with the Trail Blazers due to a left knee contusion, but he will be able to play through the issue. Watson has provided a lift for the Nuggets off the bench of late and has logged 20-plus minutes in each of their last five games.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Back on injury report
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Watson (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against Portland.
Watson also carried a probable designation into Friday's contest, so his appearance on the injury report isn't a big surprise. The team should have official word on his status closer to tipoff.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Provides spark off bench
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Watson finished Friday's 120-108 victory over the Trail Blazers with 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt), five rebounds and one block across 22 minutes.
Watson delivered a strong effort, providing 10 of his 14 points in the final period and knocking down two big three-pointers that helped put the game away. Watson was initially listed as questionable with a knee contusion, but he showed no ill effects from the injury. The UCLA product's fantasy utility is still quite limited, but he's one injury away from increased volume.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Likely to suit up Friday
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Watson is listed as probable for Friday's game versus the Trail Blazers due to a left knee contusion.
Watson assumedly bruised his knee in Wednesday's loss to the Thunder but isn't expected to miss Friday's contest. If Nikola Jokic (back) is ruled out yet again, Watson could remain in Denver's starting lineup.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Scores nine points in spot start
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Watson totaled nine points (3-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 21 minutes during Wednesday's 105-100 loss to the Thunder.
Watson got the starting nod after Nikola Jokic was ruled out due to a back concern. Despite the promotion, Watson saw just 21 minutes of playing time, basically mirroring what he has been playing for the past three weeks. While he is unlikely to make too much noise when it comes to fantasy this season, he is a name to watch should he ever carve out a consistent role for himself.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Making impact on defense
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Watson ended with seven points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two blocks and one steal over 19 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 114-109 victory over the Pacers.
Watson recorded multiple rejections for a third straight game. The 30th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft doesn't have a large enough role in the Nuggets' frontcourt rotation to be a fantasy asset in most formats, but over 11 games in January, the 21-year-old forward is averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 boards, 1.1 threes and 0.9 blocks in only 16.7 minutes a night. Should more minutes open up due to injuries, Watson could become an intriguing sleeper.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Cleared to play Sunday
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Watson (illness) is available for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
As expected, Watson has been upgraded from probable to available. In January (six games), the second-year forward has averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals-plus-blocks in 17.7 minutes per game.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Likely to play through illness Sunday
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Watson is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Pacers due to an illness.
Watson has been a steady presence off the bench for the Nuggets this season, missing just two games while typically seeing around 15-to-20 minutes per game. He looks as though he'll be able to play through his illness Sunday, and if so, he should be one of the first frontcourt players off the Denver bench.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Solid all-around effort
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Watson ended with 15 points (4-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 23 minutes during Sunday's 131-114 victory over the Pistons.
Watson delivered a strong game off the bench and was able to leave his mark on both ends of the court as the Nuggets cruised their way against a reeling Pistons team. Despite holding a bench role and occasionally starting, Watson has found ways to contribute, and his offensive game is trending in the right direction. He has scored in double digits in four of his last six outings.
