Peyton Watson Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Nuggets Roster

UCLA's Peyton Watson is off the board as the Denver Nuggets selected the guard with the 30th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday.

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Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Peyton Watson

Position: SF

Height: 6'7"

Pro Comparison: Moe Harkless

Scouting Report: Watson was too raw to earn consistent playing time behind UCLA's veterans, but he's been on the NBA radar for years based on his positional tools and the versatility to slash, pass and defend

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Nuggets Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Christian Braun, SG/SF: Rookie scale contract

Peyton Watson, SF: Rookie scale contract

Michael Porter Jr., SF: $34.5M (2027)

Jamal Murray, PG: $31.7M (2025)

Nikola Jokic, C: $29.5M (2023)

Aaron Gordon, PF: $21.7M (2026)

Will Barton, SF: UFA: $15M (2023)

Monte Morris, PG: $9.3M (2024)

Jeff Green, PF: $4.5M (2023)

Zeke Nnaji, PF: $3M (2024)

Bones Hyland, PG: $2.7M (2025)

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Free Agents

Bryn Forbes, SG: UFA

Facundo Campazzo, PG: RFA

Austin Rivers, PG: UFA

Vlatko Cancar, SF: RFA

DeMarcus Cousins, C: UFA

Davon Reed, SG: RFA

Markus Howard, PG: RFA

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While Watson isn't as highly regarded as players like Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero, he should still be a solid depth piece for the Nuggets.

The freshman averaged 3.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 0.6 steals in 12.7 minutes per game for the UCLA Bruins during the 2021-22 season. He shot 32.2 percent from the field and 22.6 percent from beyond the arc, but he's been sought-after by NBA teams for his length, size and athleticism.