New NBA Trade Rumors on Peyton Watson's Market, Bucks' Pursuit amid Nuggets Contract Buzz

The Milwaukee Bucks "remain interested" in a sign-and-trade for restricted free agent Peyton Watson, according to The Athletic's Eric Nehm.

"But while the Bucks are interested in the 23-year-old forward, league sources maintain they expect the Bucks to be hesitant to include a first-round pick in any deal for Watson as they continue building out their asset base post-Antetokounmpo," Nehm reported Thursday.

Milwaukee isn't the only team in the mix, either. The Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers have Watson on their radar.

He would theoretically fit nicely in the Bucks' rebuild, which they kicked off by trading away franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo. He'd be a valuable contributor in his prime by the time Milwaukee is contending again, or the team could turn around and flip him for draft capital at a later date.

The Bucks are well over the salary cap and hard-capped at the first apron of the luxury tax, but they have a massive $25.5 million trade exception from dealing Antetokounmpo.

In addition, Denver has reportedly lowered its asking price in a sign-and-trade to a first-round pick and a "notable" player.

This isn't a pipe dream for Milwaukee.

However, there's nothing to generally indicate a resolution on Watson is arriving anytime soon. The Jonathan Kuminga saga dragged on into late September last offseason as he and the Golden State Warriors were engaged in a similar standoff.

Based on the glacial pace of Watson's free agency, that could be where things are headed.