If Peyton Watson returns to the Denver Nuggets, he will continue to be a complementary piece to star center Nikola Jokic. If he lands with the Milwaukee Bucks, who continue to be mentioned as a suitor in the most interesting free agency sweepstakes still going, he will have a chance to spread his wings as a star player in this league.
Watson's Jokic-less numbers are incredible
As pointed out by StatMuse, Watson was a completely different player when playing with Jokic vs. when they were split up last season. With Jokic, he averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 3-pointers made per game. Without him, Watson put up 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 triples made per game. What a significant difference for him.
Peyton Watson last season:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 27, 2026
With Jokic — Without Jokic —
11.7 PPG 22.1 PPG
4.5 RPG 5.8 RPG
1.2 3PM 2.3 3PM
39.0 3P% 44.3 3P% pic.twitter.com/jWtfGFu922
Yes, obviously a player should have higher numbers when the star player is out. That is far from some sort of surprise. However, it's just how significant the difference is that stands out. Watson goes from being a decent role player to a potential All-Star. If he truly wants to unlock that All-Star potential that is bubbling beneath the surface, he'd be best suited to do so on a team where he will have a big role.
The Milwaukee Bucks can certainly provide that in a way the Nuggets cannot with Jokic in town.
Bucks have a wide open vacancy for a new star
Giannis Antetokounmpo is gone. The Milwaukee Bucks no longer have a clear-cut star leading the way for them every single night. Tyler Herro, Ryan Rollins, and everyone else on this roster will have an opportunity to prove that they can be the top option for this franchise in its next era. Watson has an opportunity to join that chase as well.
In Milwaukee, Watson would have the greenest of lights offensively, being offered a significant share of the workload nightly. Defensively, he could show off his skill set on a greater level by being tasked with taking on the toughest assignments nightly. It's everything that a young player dreams of after being more of a role player for several years.
Milwaukee is very much still alive in the Peyton Watson chase. They need the Denver Nuggets to sign off on an agreement that would land him on the Bucks with a new deal. As Denver's financial bind grows more pressing, they could very well come to terms that they cannot keep him. The Bucks must keep their foot firmly on the gas pedal if they want to welcome a potential young star into the fold.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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