The Denver Nuggets were originally asking for two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps in a potential sign-and-trade deal involving Peyton Watson. They've since lowered that asking price to one "high-level player" and one first-round pick, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on NBA Today.
That also aligns with what was reported on The Stein Line, with NBA insider Jake Fischer writing that "Denver is still holding out for the equivalent of at least two first-round picks in any sign-and-trade in which it loses Watson."
It's quite the predicament for the Nuggets. They don't want to lose a rising star but suddenly find themselves as the only team in the second apron after the Oklahoma City Thunder forced their hand, signing restricted free agent Spencer Jones to a two-year, $12 million offer sheet that Denver ultimately matched.
Blazers should steal Peyton Watson away from the Nuggets
Fischer adds that the Milwaukee Bucks are the current "most likely" suitor to steal Watson away from the Nuggets, but the Portland Trail Blazers should absolutely try to get themselves in the mix.
Watson is just 23 years old, fitting both from a roster timeline and positional need standpoint exceptionally well. If they were somehow able to come away with Watson heading into the 2026-27 season, this offseason would be a success despite all the puzzling moves. He's the missing piece to make sense of that puzzle.
Of course, that could be said for several teams around the league, driving up the trade value as a result. But it's encouraging that the Nuggets have at least lowered it to what should now be considered a reasonable asking price. One that Portland can easily afford if they are willing to pull the trigger.
Could Portland package Shaedon Sharpe?
Watson has shown more of an ability to impact winning than Blazers high-flyer Shaedon Sharpe, and is quite frankly a far better fit compared to someone who fell out of Tiago Splitter's playoff rotation in their first-round series loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
As a former top ten pick, Sharpe could be considered one of the first-round picks Denver is seeking in return. Could a package consisting of Sharpe and Orlando's 2028 first-round pick be enough to steal Watson in a sign-and-trade? The Nuggets may want slightly more than that, but it's an intriguing foundation.
Perhaps they convince themselves that Sharpe would benefit from a change of scenery, with Nikola Jokic's elite court vision unlocking his cutting and athleticism, similar to how it has for Aaron Gordon in the Mile High City. Even if it's not Sharpe as the specific "high-level player" the Nuggets are interested in, the Blazers absolutely need to get on the phone to find out what they are interested in to get this deal over the top.
GM Joe Cronin has already shown a willingness to sacrifice draft picks for a more established player who fits Portland's young core, and Watson could be the next example of the formula that's gotten them far in their rebuild.
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