Report: Nuggets offer Peyton Watson way less money than Christian Braun

The Denver Nuggets and restricted free agent Peyton Watson might be at a crossroads.

That doesn’t mean Watson won’t be on the team this year, but it could potentially be awkward.

On Sunday night, veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein wrote that Watson is “weighing” playing on the qualifying offer during the 2026-27 season. That would be for only $6.5 million, allowing Watson to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

And we might know the reason why, as according to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the Nuggets have offered Peyton Watson a five-year deal worth $70 million. That’s $55 million less over the course of the contract than what they paid Christian Braun last year.

“Thus begins a balancing act for the Nuggets, who have long stated they highly value Watson, and for Watson, who is in line for a second contract. The Nuggets’ payroll is in the second apron because they decided to match Oklahoma City’s offer sheet for Spencer Jones. Denver is attempting to move a contract or two to get back under the second apron and clear enough money to retain Peyton Watson, the league sources said,” Jones wrote on Monday night.

Yes, the Nuggets matched a two-year, $12 million deal for Jones from the Thunder — putting them in the second apron. They’re the only NBA team currently operating in that space.

Could an Aaron Gordon or Cam Johnson be on the move to help create cap space? Perhaps.

But the root of possible tension could be how much less this offer is than what the Nuggets paid Braun. It’s no secret Watson looks like the better player moving forward, and Braun had an injury-riddled and brutal 2025-26 season, while Watson thrived.

Jones adds the Bucks, Clippers and Hawks still want Watson’s services, which has been previously reported.

With it being almost August and this situation still unsettled, it might get more uncomfortable before it gets better. Both camps, the Nuggets and Peyton Watson, could play the waiting game into the fall.

To read the full report from Jones, click here.

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