Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[DanSchwartzgan]

It is probably too unlikely to spend much time on it.

If you have to get to $23mm or more, then you have to solve the BYC issue without causing Denver to go over the 2nd Apron or take on more salary than being sent out as a 1st Apron team.  There are a couple of ways that work (possibly others) and both involve Denver sending back Zeke Nnaji.  One is Watson ($23mm)/Nnaji straight up for Klay.  The other is pairing Christie and Naji for Watson and Nnaji.  Both of those Dallas outgoing scenarios fit the sweet spot between what Watson counts as outgoing and what matches in the other direction.

I noticed this morning the Bagley deal isn't finalized yet.  So, one more way of doing this would be to include him in a S&T with Naji for Watson and Zeke (Zeke goes into the MLE).  In that case, it can be a trade match at a salary starting at $22mm for Watson and you don't use the TPE at all.  I'm using Bagley's reported $3.5mm minimum salary, but if you needed to get to a higher number for Watson, you could bump Bagley's number using more of the MLE to get there up to a point.

Watson deals have actually been easier to construct than I originally suspected.  There will probably be competition for him as he's by far the best FA still available.  Besides LAC, Detroit still hasn't closed out its space and Brooklyn would be another logical team that might target him.  It isn't just a player decision.  Whoever gets him will have to satisfy both the player and the Nuggets.

Edit: One other note, you could substitute Christie for Naji in this deal if Denver preferred. Christie/Bagley for Watson/Zeke lands Watson at $20.9mm if you assume $3.5mm for Bagley as reported. That would fit into the TPE if Denver wanted that flexibility. Again, if Watson wants more money, you simply slide up Bagley's number using some of the MLE. Biber and Zeke are also coming out of the MLE in this scenario, so there is a limit. Biber at $3.0 = Zeke at $7.47 leaves up to $4.5mm for Bagley to be increased which would take Watson's starting number up to $22mm (and no longer eligible to use the TPE). One of the issues with getting Watson's agreement would be finding a role for him. If you watch his game, he could easily take Chritie's place in the starting lineup whereas Naji's departure would only create an opening as a backup.