Peyton Watson thanks Nuggets fans, teammates and front office

Peyton Watson sent a heartfelt goodbye to the city of Denver and the Nuggets organization after his sign-and-trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers was made official last week.

Watson, 23, was dealt to Cleveland as part of a five-team transaction that also involved the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. He’ll sign a four-year, $88 million contract with the Cavaliers, a payday the financially strapped Nuggets simply couldn’t match while stuck under the NBA’s punishing second apron. In return, Denver received a 2031 unprotected first-round pick from Cleveland and a 2032 second-round pick via Sacramento.

But before Watson turned the page, he made sure to show love to the people who shaped his four years in Denver.

Peyton Watson with a message to Nuggets nation on IG: pic.twitter.com/GmwNTlY5y2

— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) August 25, 2026

Watson started with the man who brought him here.

“Calvin Booth for believing in me out of UCLA,” he wrote, thanking the former Nuggets GM who traded with Oklahoma City for his draft rights back in 2022. From there, Watson rattled off a who’s who of the Nuggets locker room, Aaron Gordon “for being my big brother,” Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray “for all the assists,” Kentavious Caldwell-Pope “for throwing my 21st birthday party” and Michael Porter Jr. “for all the late night workouts and dinners.”

He saved his biggest gratitude for the fans. “But again, most of all, thank you to the fans. Playing in front of you has been a dream come true. I’ll see you all soon.”

Watson finished his Nuggets tenure averaging 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game across 225 career appearances. His final season was his best by a wide margin, 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and a career-high .411 from three-point range in 54 games. He also won an NBA championship ring as a rookie with Denver’s 2023 title team.

The Nuggets echoed the sentiment on social media. “Thank you for everything, P-Wat,” the team wrote on X.

Thank you for everything, P-Wat 💙 pic.twitter.com/zgfNea24NE

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 21, 2026

Nuggets fans watched Watson grow from a raw, athletic project into an electrifying two-way player who earned himself a massive contract. Letting him walk stings, especially when the reason comes down to dollars and not desire. But Watson leaves Denver with the same love the fan base has for him, and that’s something no trade can take away.

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