Rich Paul Says Peyton Watson Was Held Out In Playoffs To Protect Him For Free Agency

The useful part

In a recent episode of the Game Over podcast, Klutch Sports agent detailed some of the free agency process for client Peyton Watson. Ahead of that decision, Paul helped influence Watson to protect himself heading into restricted free agency this offseason. He was dealing with a hamstring injury, soft tissue injury," Paul said about Watson.

How it works

• Because you're up for a contract and it's the playoffs, and I've had a pretty good year, so I need to play.
• It's important to protect that." Watson missed roughly a month-and-a-half after initially straining his hamstring in early-February.
• He returned to play for about a week before being shut down again in early-April.
• There were reports that some members of the Nuggets were upset that Watson didn't push himself to play the way teammate Aaron Gordon did.
• Denver ultimately moved Watson for first- and second-round picks due to concerns about a large luxury tax bill and being over the second apron.

Details worth keeping

"You've got to remember, he didn't finish the season.