Show us you spend money, Chisholm: Sign Peyton Watson

[Celtics2021]

With the news that Paul George politely waived his trade kicker, we now have room under the tax, but also more room under the apron.  Chisholm says it is not about dollars, just about the second apron.  The last big free agent out there is Peyton Watson, and the Celtics should go after him.

Denver receives:

Sam Hauser
2027 1st

Celtics receive:

Peyton Watson via sign-and-trade on a 4-year, $94.6 million contract.

This might be a little less than Watson is looking for, but it is certainly in the range.  The Celtics would remain below the first apron by a few hundred thousand this year.  Next year the Celtics would be able to stay below the second apron even if George opts in.

The Nuggets would be above the second apron, something their owner declares is okay (at least while he is trying to convince Jolie to sign an extension).  They could take back no more than $11 million in salary with this deal because of being over the second apron, and Hauser at $10.8 million would just fit in.  He would be a good fit with Jokic getting him wide open 3s.

[JBcat]

Oh great idea I love his potential, a little like Jaden McDaniels. I?d also consider adding in a second first, our 2027 and 2029 firsts and try to retain the PHILLY picks that could be extremely valuable. He would be a great get. A fall back on that team could be Cam Johnson who would still be an upgrade over Houser.

[Phantom255x]

I'm a fan

[Who]

I was wondering what Peyton Watson's monthly splits looked like in his breakout season.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/watsope01/splits/2026

He has q huge month & 3 games into a 2nd month before he gets hurt sandwiched in between more normal level production for him. So if we split the season:

So he breaks out in January. Actually he has a huge game on Dec 31st so I will include that in his breakout section.

(1) 30 games start of the season until Dec 29th.

27.2mpg
10.7ppg 4.5rpg 1.5apg 1.0spg 1.0bpg
51.1% FG on 7.7 FGA
2.7 3PTA / 7.7 FGA at 39% 3PT
2.4 FTA / 7.7 FGA are FTs for 75% FG near 33% FTrate

(2) The breakout. Only 19 games. Dec 31 until Feb 04. Only really one month of high quality production on his whole season.

36.1mpg
21.5ppg 5.5rpg 2.7apg 1.1spg 1.5bpg
48.5% on 15.8 FGA
5.2 3PTA / 15.8 FGA are threes at 43.9% 3PT.
5.5 FTA / 15.8 FGA. Maintained one third FTrate.

(3) A few games when he tried to come back. 5 games.

19.0mpg
11.6ppg 4.8rpg 3.0apg 0.0spg 0.6bpg
42.9% FG on 9.8 FGA
3.4 3PTA / 9.8 FGA at 35.3% 3PT
2.6 FTA / 9.8 FGA at 76.9% FT

[Who]

Here is a LeBron theory for you ...

Peyton Watson is a Klutch Sports client. LeBron put DEN on his list only to try and get DEN to give P Watson a big contract.

[Who]

Like / dislike about Peyton Watson

Like

* Athleticism & activity
* Defense

Dislike

* I don't trust his 3pt shot.

DEN had a lot of issues finding him playing time in previous seasons due to both his dodgy 3PT shot and C Braun's 3PT shot. They often had to keep them separated in order to maintain spacing. At times they were not able to keep them separated because of roster limitations.

P Watson shot 41.1% on 3PTers last year. He took 3.6 threes in 29.6 minutes. Roughly 4.5 threes per 36min which is one every 8 minutes. 1 every 8 minutes is low volume for a wing player.

His breakout period included a heat streak from 3 at 43.9% from a player who is typically a dodgy shooter. Similar to Jordan Walsh (38.4% for season) having his hot streak from 3 last season (47.4% 3PT for 27gms on 2.1 3PTA per game) before cooling off (30.9% final 38gms of season + couldn't make a shot in the playoffs).

P Watson's two previous seasons have him at 35.3% 3PT and 29.6% 3PT shooting.

Over his last 3 years, P Watson is 174-485 threes for 35.9% 3PT in 4,742 minutes. That is 3.7 threes per 36min. So one every 9+ minutes.

The low volume of threes shows a reluctant / not confident outside shooter. He is more of a slasher. His 3PT is showing progress but some of that may also just be hot streak / unsustainable. Unclear.

* Ball-handling & playmaking are limited. More of a forward than a guard. His best position is SF. His athleticism is good enough for him to play guard defensively but his offensive skill-set is subpar for a guard.

That would be less of an issue in BOS because Tatum is such a strong ball-handler and passer at forward. Tatum can cover for P Watson. In the short term, PG13 is also here who can be the 3rd ball-handler ahead of P Watson. So this would not be an issue here in BOS. When PG13 leaves, P Watson can return to his natural position as starting SF alongside Tatum at PF. Or stay at SG if needs must.