Nuggets’ Cam Johnson gets ‘crazy’ honest on Peyton Watson ‘elephant in the room’

The Denver Nuggets are loaded with talent, but that has already and will continue to lead to some tough financial decisions going forward. This offseason, in particular, the team is in the midst of contract negotiations with Peyton Watson. The former first-round pick who averaged 3.3 points per game in college broke onto the scene last season in Denver.

The star defensive player averaged 14.6 points per game and was particularly impressive as a scorer when Nikola Jokic was sidelined. Now, the Nuggets are prioritizing bringing the restricted free agent back. There are certainly other suitors, though, and Watson would be far from the only highly-paid player on Denver’s roster.

With Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson also on the roster, the Nuggets are on the brink of the second apron. The Nuggets have underwhelmed in terms of adding talent this offseason thus far, although they have been linked as one of LeBron James’ top destinations. Johnson, who is set to make just over $23 million next season before hitting unrestricted free agency, understands the reality of Denver’s financial situation, and he addressed the elephant in the room during an Old Man and the Three podcast episode.

“Let’s just take the elephant in the room,” Johnson started. “Peyton Watson is in contract negotiations. The only reason that we’re in this position in the first place is because he balled out. He played really well. So you see that, and it’s just like you want your guys to play well. You want your guys to make top dollar, and then you get to the end of the road and it becomes very like, oh man, now everybody can’t get paid crazy.”

The Nuggets want Watson back, but his re-signing could very well lead to Johnson leaving the team by next year. In fact, Johnson has already been rumored as a trade candidate who would allow the Nuggets to cut costs ahead of a Watson re-signing. With the bulk of free agency past, and James’ seemingly having eliminated Denver from his preferred destinations list, it is likely only a matter of time until the Nuggets make a big decision regarding Watson.

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