NBA Trade Rumors: Clippers want to take a shot at getting Denver forward?

 

The Denver Nuggets are currently locked in a patient, calculating standoff in restricted free agency with 23-year-old forward Peyton Watson. While rival front offices monitor the gridlock expecting a swift resolution, Denver’s executive leadership continues to play a deliberate long game.

According to league executives, Denver’s position on Watson has remained firm and is expected to stay stagnant for at least a few more weeks. The primary reason for the delay involves one of Watson's main potential sign-and-trade suitors: the LA Clippers.

The Clippers remain administratively paralyzed as they await clarity on Kawhi Leonard's future and resolve a pending transaction with the Toronto Raptors. Until Los Angeles clears its internal administrative hurdles, any potential sign-and-trade negotiations involving Watson remain frozen on the back burner.

The $360 Million Target: Preserving Cap Space for Nikola Jokić

Beyond the immediate administrative delays in Los Angeles, the Nuggets’ front-office strategy is anchored by a much larger macro-economic objective: preserving clean balance sheet flexibility for the summer of 2027.

Around the NBA, rival executives note that Denver’s primary organizational focus is keeping its future cap sheet as uncluttered as possible. The Nuggets anticipate offering three-time MVP Nikola Jokić a staggering five-year, $360 million supermax extension.

Under the strict punitive guidelines of the modern Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), locking up long-term money across secondary assets severely limits a franchise's ability to maintain a contender around a mega-max cornerstone. Re-signing Watson to a high-value multi-year contract—or taking back long-term player contracts in a trade—could push Denver's future luxury tax bill to historic heights.

The Cam Johnson Equation: Value in an Expiring Contract

Denver's dedication to maintaining cap agility also explains their approach toward veteran forward Cam Johnson.

Despite Johnson featuring prominently in trade rumors following a tough 2025–26 campaign in the Mile High City, Denver has consistently resisted dumping him for sub-par offers.

Johnson's $23 million expiring contract is a major strategic asset for Denver. By retaining Johnson through the winter, the Nuggets ensure that $23 million automatically wipes clean off their cap sheet next summer. This provides the exact financial cushion needed to absorb Jokić’s salary escalation without gutting the rest of the roster.

Furthermore, keeping Johnson on the active roster prevents Watson’s agency from gaining artificial leverage. If Denver were to dump Johnson prematurely, Watson’s camp could demand a higher annual salary knowing the Nuggets lack wing depth.

The Verdict

The Denver Nuggets are refusing to panic. While the Watson restricted free agency saga may drag late into the summer, General Manager Calvin Booth is prioritizing the long-term health of the franchise. By waiting out the Clippers and holding onto Cam Johnson’s expiring contract, Denver is ensuring that when the time comes to write a historic $360 million check to Nikola Jokić, the franchise's championship window remains wide open.

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