The Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams interested in acquiring restricted free agent Peyton Watson through a sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets, according to Marc Stein. The Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks have also reportedly registered interest in the 23-year-old forward.
Watson is coming off his best NBA season, significantly increasing his value after becoming a key two-way contributor for Denver. In 2025-26, he averaged career highs of 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks in 54 games, including 40 starts, while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range.
The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 54-28 record and earned the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Watson ranked fourth on the team in scoring behind Nikola Jokic (27.7 points per game), Jamal Murray (25.4) and Aaron Gordon (16.2), establishing himself as one of Denver’s most valuable young pieces.
Denver has maintained that it plans to match any offer sheet Watson receives after he became a restricted free agent. However, the franchise is reportedly willing to consider a sign-and-trade if contract negotiations do not lead to a long-term agreement.
The Nuggets are seeking a significant return for Watson, with Jake Fischer reporting that Denver’s asking price is comparable to the package the Utah Jazz received for Walker Kessler: two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps. Kessler was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade after agreeing to a four-year, $130 million contract.
Milwaukee’s interest comes after a major offseason transition following the trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat. The Bucks received Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, Nate Ament and multiple future draft assets as part of the franchise-changing deal.
Without Giannis, Milwaukee has shifted toward a younger roster under new head coach Taylor Jenkins. The Bucks finished the 2025-26 season 32-50, 11th in the Eastern Conference, and are using their financial flexibility and a $25.5 million trade exception to reshape the roster.
The Bucks already added Caris LeVert from the Detroit Pistons and re-signed Gary Trent Jr. to a four-year, $64 million contract, while also bringing in Bogoljub Markovic and Kam Jones.
Atlanta and the Clippers present additional competition for Watson. The Hawks finished 46-36 and reached the play-in tournament, while the Clippers finished 42-40 and also qualified for the postseason. Both teams have shown interest in adding young two-way forwards.
