I’ve been pretty vocal that I want to keep Peyton Watson in Denver. I think empowering him with a bigger role is the Nuggets’ best path forward if Denver truly wants to evolve with this core and alter its identity next season — something that I think is needed.

I think that’s especially going to be the case if the Nuggets return most of their roster from last season, which seems likely.

The Nuggets would prefer to keep Watson but have to be careful about his extension. The financial hell Denver finds itself in means the Nuggets have to be extremely cautious with just how much money they hand him in this new contract.

But if Denver and Watson can’t agree on an extension, a sign and trade would be on the table. Right now I think that’s likelier than Watson playing on his $6.5 million qualifying offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. That would be too risky for a player who hasn’t secured a big payday yet and dealt with multiple soft tissue injuries last season.

These are my favorite potential sign-and-trade deals, assuming the Nuggets are below the 2nd apron and can bring back a player or two in return. I think Denver would want a 1st round pick back in most of these deals too.

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