I don't need to go over the need for wings on our roster any more than it's already been talked about. Moving off Jerami was the correct move, but we've thinned out at the position and I would hope that Cronin is looking around for options to rebalance the roster.

Denver has made Watson available, and recent reports today suggest that the Clippers are out on a sign-and-trade for him. As a RFA, he's due for a payday, and Denver has a notoriously cheap owner who has made move after move to avoid paying the salary tax. There have also been reports that they want a "Walker Kessler Package" which amounts to 2 FRPs and 2 FR Swaps. Is he worth that? I've been thinking about it and here's where I end up:

The Measurables

Peyton Watson is 23 years old and stands at 6'8, with a 7' wingspan, listed at 200 pounds.

For comparison, Toumani Camara is 26 years old, 6'7 with a 7' wingspan, and is listed at 230 pounds.

Stats

A lot of people consider last year to have been the Watson breakout year. He has had his usage and minutes increased, and his efficiency has followed. For the season he is looking at the current averages:

14 PPG
4.9 REB
2 AST

49/41/73 splits with a 59 TS%

1.13 BLK
.93 STL
3.98 DREB
2.52 PF (Ouch!)

His defensive numbers are less impressive in the context of POA defense, falling short of Camara, but he is showing signs of being an elite help defender. He is able to protect the rim at an above average level, edging out our other wings, and can switch 1-4. I think his lower weight gets him into foul trouble against heavier mismatches, but at 23, I wonder if he can put another 10-15 pounds onto his frame.

Jokic Inflation

Don't google that, but I think it's reasonable to evaluate his play with Jokic off the floor. It's well known that Jokic is one of the best passers the league has ever seen, and he can make anyone on his team look great.

Last season, there was a 15 game stretch where Jokic was out, and Watson's offensive stats where as follows:

22.1 PPG
5.8 Rebounds
2.8 Assists

50/45/73 splits w/ 61TS%

15 games is a short sample size, but it's the one we have. I like that his efficiency didn't change with his increased usage. We're talking about his 3PA doubling, his minutes shooting to 36.8 a game, and his defensive impact didn't drop with his increased offensive load. He still managed to average 1.5 BLK and 1 STL a game during that stretch.

Fit

I feel like I barely need to explain this. He would fit our system beautifully. His weak-side defense and secondary rim protection would be hell for other teams, and his upside offensively makes him look like a real ACTUAL 3&D prospect that is only 23 years old.

He ultimately reminds me a lot of Camara with more offensive upside. What would you pay for another Camara who is 3 years younger? We can't always steal guys like Camara, so maybe they are worth 1-2 picks?

Price

Denver is asking for way too much. 2 unprotected firsts and 2 swaps is genuinely over the top in terms of asking price. That being said, Denver has the malignant tumor of Kroenke running things, and he has made it clear that the salary tax is his enemy. Their early playoff exit also positions them to justify avoiding the tax. This means they have little leverage in trade conversations.

My ideal sign-and-trade draft capital for acquiring Watson stands at 1 unprotected first and 1 swap.

Last Thoughts

IDK how you are all feeling, but as the days go by, I am less and less convinced that we are going to trade for an established star with our Bucks draft capital. Cronin has always talked about being opportunistic, and to me, Watson feels like opportunity.

Wonder what you are all thinking.