{"id":56487,"date":"2023-10-11T19:50:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T23:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=56487"},"modified":"2023-10-11T19:50:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T23:50:39","slug":"denver-nuggets-rumors-peyton-watson-injuries-backup-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/10\/11\/denver-nuggets-rumors-peyton-watson-injuries-backup-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Nuggets Rumors: Peyton Watson, Injuries and Backup Center Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA champions, but they have a lot of work to do to get back to the Finals. The Nuggets<\/a> still have one of the top players in the Association — Nikola Jokic<\/strong><\/a> — and one of the top starting lineups. However, the Nuggets will have nearly an entire second unit after losing Bruce Brown<\/strong><\/a> and Jeff Green<\/strong><\/a> in free agency and Vlatko Cancar<\/strong> <\/a>to likely season-ending injury.\u00a0 So, who will fill the void?<\/p>\n

Denver Nuggets Rumors: Peyton Watson, Injuries and Backup Center Competition<\/h2>\n

Denver<\/a> retained Reggie Jackson <\/strong><\/a>and brought in free agent Justin Holiday<\/strong><\/a>, both of whom are expected to contribute to the second unit. Second-year wing Christian Braun <\/strong><\/a>is slated to be the Nuggets’ sixth man of the year. Peyton Watson<\/a>, Julian Strawther<\/a><\/strong>, and Hunter Tyson<\/strong><\/a> are likely battling for the Nuggets final spot on the second unit.<\/p>\n

Peyton Watson Wants To Show He Belongs<\/h3>\n

Speaking of Watson, the 21-year-old wing told Harrison Wind of ThDnvr.com\u00a0<\/a> that he\u2019ll have a breakout season. According to Wind, Watson said that he has three goals. 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019m one of the best second-year guys in the league,\u201d Watson said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Watson didn’t play very much last season, accumulating 186 minutes over 23 games, including two starts. He did shoot it well in his limited opportunities, connecting on 49.2% from the field and 42.3% from the 3-point line.<\/p>\n

Not only is Watson an excellent shooter, but he also has elite defensive tools with a 7-foot wingspan.<\/p>\n

But Watson knows he will have to seize the opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo opportunity is given. I understand that whatever I want, I gotta take it. I\u2019m willing to do whatever it takes to do that. I\u2019ve always been that way. When I go out there, it\u2019s just me and the ball. These are my teammates; these are my brothers. We\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Watson Has Strong First Preseason Game<\/h3>\n

That is exactly what Watson did in the Nuggets’ first preseason game, a 115-107 victory over Phoenix on Tuesday night. Watson was the second player off the bench for the Nuggets and saw 20 minutes of action. He scored 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the floor, 2 of 3 from the 3-point line, and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. Watson also grabbed three rebounds and recorded a steal and a block, though he fouled out and finished with a -4 plus\/minus rating.<\/p>\n

Strawther also played well, while Tyson struggled with his shot. Strawther, the 29th pick by the Indiana Pacers in this year’s draft, was lights out against the Suns. He finished the game with 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting from the field, including 4 of 7 from the 3-point line. The 21-year-old wing also grabbed five boards and doled out three assists.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Tyson missed all six shots from the field and was 0 of 4 from the 3-point line. He did grab four boards, doled out two assists, and came up with a steal while recording a +7 rating.<\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h3>\n

Two players did not play for the Nuggets against the Suns on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Michael Porter Jr.<\/strong><\/a> was the lone starter who didn’t suit up as the Nuggets are being extremely cautious, even though the injury is not serious. Porter tweaked his ankle during a practice earlier this month.\u00a0 Holiday started in his place, tallying five points and playing solid defense in 19 minutes.<\/p>\n

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Jamal Murray and Christian Braun were both limited at practice today, Michael Malone said. Murray was dealing with a hamstring, Malone said last week at training camp, but it wasn't serious. Braun's calf is bothering him, I'm told.<\/p>\n

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) October 9, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n