Once the Nuggets opted to match the OKC Thunder's offer sheet for Spencer Jones, it was well understood that their financial situation would be thrust into rather treacherous territory, as they officially became the only club residing in the second apron heading into the 2026-26 campaign.
Now, not only are they in deep with both league-mandated restrictions and severe tax penalties, but it seems they're growing more eager to move on from one of their more coveted young talents, Peyton Watson.
Heading into the offseason, the belief was that Denver intended to pull out all the stops in their efforts to re-sign the 23-year-old wing. Following his breakout 2025-26 season, where he posted 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds on 41.1 percent shooting from deep while largely serving as a starter for the 54-win Nuggets, who could blame them?
Of course, now that they face such financial hardships, the road to retaining his services has become far more difficult. So much so, in fact, that reports now suggest Denver is mulling over sign-and-trade scenarios that would ship him out of town.
While their original rumored asking price was a couple of first-round picks and pick swaps, recent rumblings now reveal that they've lowered their return expectations to just one "high-level player" and a pick.
The Nuggets seem to be growing more desperate by the day to cut costs, and, had it not been for the two-year, $12 million offer the Thunder extended Jones, they likely wouldn't find themselves in such a state.
Nuggets aren't the only rival Thunder have hurt with offseason moves
While they may be the most recent, the Nuggets are by no means the only conference rival the Thunder have negitively impacted as a result of their offseason decision-making.
As fans may recall, Atlanta struck on two separate trades with the Thunder earlier this summer: one that directly sent them Aaron Wiggins, and another three-team deal that resulted in the acquisition of Lu Dort.
With these trades, the already menacing Hawks added much-needed perimeter scoring with the former, elite All-Defensive skills with the latter, and championship experience all around.
Naturally, the additions of Wiggins and Dort are both expected to make Atlanta even more challenging to face off against next season, which, in theory, could come back to bite the Spurs, who own the club's first-round pick in next June's draft thanks to the 2021 Dejounte Murray trade.
So while the Thunder may be operating in a way that they hope will directly benefit them, it seems they've also set themselves up to reap the rewards of indirect effects as well.
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