Peyton Watson wants to be the Nuggets' next star

The Nuggets were about to start their second training camp practice last week at the University of California, San Diego when Nikola Jokic sat down next to Peyton Watson.

The two teammates discussed how they thought Denver’s first official practice of the 2023-24 season went. They each gave their thoughts and key takeaways. They talked through the new players on the Nuggets’ roster.

Then, Watson posed a question to the two-time MVP.

“What do you need to be able to trust me this year?” he asked Jokic.

“You’re gonna have to do the things that nobody else wants to do,” Jokic responded.

And with that, the foundation of Watson’s sophomore season was set.

“I’ll never forget what he said to me and it’s something I’ll always keep with me,” Watson told DNVR about Jokic’s message. “It’s coming from one of the greatest players ever to touch on basketball.”

“He’s taken me under his wing. He wants the best for me and knows that I’m gonna have a big role this year.”

Trust.

It’s going to be the theme of the 21-year-old’s season. Can Watson, the former No. 1 recruit in California who only played 186 total NBA minutes as a rookie last season and is still the youngest player on the Nuggets’ roster, earn the trust of Jokic? Can he earn the trust of the rest of his teammates? Can he earn the trust of Michael Malone enough to play a role on a team that’s focused on capturing another NBA championship?

If Watson can, then it would be impossible to put a ceiling on what he can accomplish this season. After a rookie year spent mostly in the G League, Watson is poised to move into a rotation spot off the bench and help fill the void left by Bruce Brown and Jeff Green on Denver’s second unit.

He has a golden opportunity to step into that spotlight. Christian Braun is the only returning bench player who played consistent rotation minutes in the playoffs last season. Reggie Jackson is slated to open the season as Denver’s backup point guard. But after those two, there’s an abundance of uncertainty around the Nuggets’ second unit.

Watson’s combination of elite defensive tools, a 7-foot wingspan, and intriguing upside feels like what the Nuggets’ bench needs.

Watson stayed in Denver for the majority of the offseason to put himself in the best position to win a rotation spot. He felt it was important to become a fixture on the Nuggets’ practice court and a mainstay around the team’s facilities. Under that plan, he’d be able to put in as much face time with the Nuggets’ coaching staff as possible, an act Watson felt was crucial to showing the franchise that he was intent on taking the next step with his game.

And he hit the weights hard. Over the last year, Watson has added 20 pounds of muscle to his frame. He says the additional weight is already paying dividends on the defensive end of the court where he’s guarding both small and power forwards. In practice, Watson’s already noticing how much stronger he is.

“I just wanted our coaches to see that I was as dedicated as possible at 21 years old,” said Watson. “And that they can trust me.”

Peyton Watson on gaining the trust of his teammates with his hard work 🤝 #GoldenEra pic.twitter.com/oTbOinW3Gr

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) October 2, 2023

Another member of the Nuggets’ organization whose trust Watson is trying to earn is Jokic. Doing, ‘the things that nobody else wants to do,’ as Jokic instructed is a start. But Jokic’s trust isn’t earned or given overnight, after one game, or even one stretch of basketball. It’s always a process.

To accelerate that process, Watson is trying to pattern his routine after the Nuggets’ franchise cornerstone.

“I literally watch everything he does,” Watson told DNVR.

“He never takes any shortcuts. He does everything the right way every day. He doesn’t cut any corners. I really watch all those things because I want to be on that level one day. I feel like I can be an All-NBA player one day. And I take it very seriously. So I watch everything he does. I admire his game and I admire what he does to have his game on that level.”

Watson’s goals for this season, both individual and team-oriented, are straightforward. First, he hopes to be a consistent rotation player and someone who contributes to every game. He wants to help the Nuggets win their second NBA championship and become the first team since the Warriors in 2018 to go back-to-back. Watson also wants to make the Rising Stars game this season.

“I feel like I’m one of the best second-year guys in the league,” he said.

The Southern California native has his sights set on becoming a presence in the Denver community too. He hopes to fully immerse himself in Colorado this year and really make the Mile High City his home.

“I want the fans to see me as the face of somebody who represents Denver,” said Watson.

There’s one final goal that Watson has, not just for this season but over the rest of his career. He wants to prove Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth right. Watson and Booth have a close bond. Booth believes that Watson’s combination of defensive tools, potential, and basketball IQ — Watson can rattle off a scouting report on any opposing player the Nuggets are about to go against from memory — is special.

Booth is a believer, even though Watson only averaged three points per game during his freshman season at UCLA. The Nuggets’ lead basketball decision-maker saw enough on tape. He even wanted to trade up from 30th overall in the draft to select the forward.

“It was an easy, easy pick, Booth told DNVR last season.

Peyton Watson only averaged 3.3 points per game at UCLA. Was he a risky pick in the NBA Draft?

Don't tell Denver Nuggets GM, Calvin Booth.

"It was an easy, easy pick."#MileHighBasketball

Find out why 👇👇👇https://t.co/tSF4qnRs11 pic.twitter.com/XykDG4KVBi

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) April 13, 2023

Watson cherishes the opportunity that Booth gave him. And how much faith Booth showed in his talent and potential continues to push him to be the best version of himself.

“You don’t forget things like that. He gave a 19-year-old kid a chance,” Watson said. “I can never repay him for the opportunity that he gave me last year as a guy who came in averaging three points in college. He really took a dive into who I am as a person, who I’ve been my whole life, not only at UCLA, but my entire pedigree. The belief he’s shown in me, he’s given me the belief in myself to go out there and be the most competent guy on the floor every time.”

“My biggest goal being with the Denver Nuggets is to prove him right.”

His chance to prove everyone who’s been a believer in him right is finally here. His chance to gain the trust of the reigning Finals MVP and the Nuggets’ organization has come. Watson has everything in front of him.

He knows it’s up to him to seize the moment.

“No opportunity is given. I understand that whatever I want, I gotta take it,” Watson told DNVR. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do that. I’ve always been that way. When I go out there, it’s just me and the ball. These are my teammates, these are my brothers. We’re going to be competing for the same team and to win another championship. But at the end of the day, if I want that opportunity, I gotta go out and take it.”