Denver Post details how Watson's exit from Denver unraveled

Denver Post reporter Bennett Durando details how Peyton Watson's split from the Nuggets built over months. Denver bypassed a rookie extension last October, offering no more than $10-12M annually while Watson sought around $14M, and instead extended Christian Braun.

A hamstring injury and its aggravation in the playoffs sparked a dispute, with sources telling Durando some in the Nuggets' organization believed Watson was protecting his value while his camp says agent Rich Paul was guarding against further injury.

At the start of free agency Denver offered a four-year deal worth about $18M annually with a fourth-year team option, but Watson wanted $25M+ and rejected it, and talks stalled with both sides now exploring a sign-and-trade.