Reinforcement for Jokic? Denver Preparing a Major Trade
While Peyton Watson's future is being resolved, the Nuggets are actively working on bringing in DeMar DeRozan, NBA insider Shams Charania reveals.
While Peyton Watson's future is being resolved, the Nuggets are actively working on bringing in DeMar DeRozan, NBA insider Shams Charania reveals.
The Denver Nuggets are not sitting idly by while Peyton Watson's future is being sorted out in Colorado. According to information coming from America, as reported by Kurir.rs, Denver has been trying to find a solution for Watson and his restricted free agent status for some time. According to information shared by Shams Charania, the Denver Nuggets are in ongoing negotiations with several teams regarding a potential sign-and-trade arrangement, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and LA Clippers among those teams.
Charania also brought new information that is particularly interesting for Denver. As he learned, the Nuggets have lowered their demands for Watson - instead of the large package they previously sought, they are now asking for a solid player and a first-round draft pick. Respected NBA reporter Marc Stein has been following the Watson situation for days and has revealed that the offers he is currently receiving range from about $16 to $18 million per year, while his camp reportedly wants significantly more.
While Watson's future is being resolved, a name has emerged in American media that could cause quite a stir in Denver. It was Charania who earlier revealed that Denver, Cleveland, and Miami are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan, a seasoned NBA veteran and six-time All-Star. So, this is not mere baseless speculation - Denver is indeed one of the teams that have shown interest in this experienced scorer in the NBA.
Watson has no final resolution yet, the Nuggets are active in sign-and-trade discussions, and at the same time, they are exploring options for players who could strengthen the roster around Nikola Jokic. One of those players is precisely DeRozan.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is not sitting idle either. The Cavaliers sent Dennis Schroder to Charlotte, creating about $6.8 million in space, and American media link this move to their intention to increase financial flexibility for a potential acquisition of Watson or Jonathan Kuminga.
For now, there is no agreement, and no one can claim that DeRozan will actually don the Denver jersey. However, one thing is certain - the Nuggets are looking for ways to further strengthen the team around Jokic, and DeMar DeRozan's name is already being mentioned in those discussions. If everything falls into place, the Serbian star could have another NBA star by his side.