Nuggets Emerge as Potential Landing Spot for 6-Time All-Star Following Peyton Watson Trade: Report

It has been a quiet offseason thus far for the Denver Nuggets as they have not made many moves to upgrade their roster around their core led by Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

Denver began the offseason by selecting Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins in the 2026 NBA Draft. They then signed Marvin Bagley III in free agency and also re-signed both Spener Jones and Tyus Jones.

Of course, the Nuggets have also lost some key players this offseason as Tim Hardaway Jr. signed with the Miami Heat while Jonas Valanciunas was waived, resulting in him signing in the Lithuanian Basketball League.

On Wednesday, the Nuggets lost another key player as they traded restricted free agent Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he will reportedly sign a four-year, $88 million deal. The four-team trade sent Denver a Cavaliers 2031 first-round pick and a Sacramento Kings 2032 second-round pick.

With Watson heading to Cleveland, the Nuggets have a major hole at the forward position and they have reportedly emerged as a potential landing spot for a 17-year NBA veteran.

Nuggets Emerge as Potential Landing Spot for DeMar DeRozan

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Nuggets are targeting free agent forward DeMar DeRozan to replace Watson.

This is a massive report by Haynes as Denver has emerged as a potential destination for the six-time All-Star.

Of course, DeRozan was waived by the Kings earlier in the offseason and while multiple teams, including the Miami Heat, have been linked to the veteran forward, he remains a free agent as it has been reported that he is looking to sign with a contender.

For the Nuggets, they would fulfill DeRozan’s wish of landing with a contender as they are expected to be a threat in the West once again this upcoming season thanks to Jokic, Murray and Gordon leading the way.

DeRozan would provide Denver with a reliable scorer at the wing position who would also provide the franchise with another veteran leader who they may be able to sign at a discount.

Last season, the 37-year-old forward averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 32.0% from three.

While DeRozan could be a good fit alongside Jokic and Murray, the Nuggets could also look elsewhere to fill the hole left by Watson, though they are running out of options with the start of the new season approaching.