The entire NBA world was stunned by the Denver Nuggets giving up on Peyton Watson for a paltry first-round pick in 2031, when Nikola Jokic will be 36-years-old. It has the Phoenix Suns looking as competent as ever as they continue retooling around Devin Booker in an impactful way.
Nuggets fumbling Jokic worse than Suns ever have with Devin Booker
The front office in The Valley didn't have to do anything, and they are in a better spot now than they were yesterday, thanks to this Watson deal. The Nuggets had to do as they are in the second apron, a position the Suns know all about.
Successfully pivoting out of that spot the way they have deserves even more love in light of the Nuggets' decision with Watson, even if Bradley Beal and his dead cap hit are lingering like a bad smell. It also ensures the Nuggets will almost certainly take a step back this coming season, which the Suns could profit from and avoid the Play-In Tournament altogether.
We might have to rethink where we put those nationally televised games versus the Nuggets, too.
Dumping Watson also makes the Suns' ability to trade for Miles Bridges (from a basketball perspective at least) look like better business, despite the franchise getting ridiculed for it at the time. While the Nuggets will be hoping that pick becomes something in 2031, the Suns are over here giving away firsts in 2033 if it will help Booker get closer to contention now.
Bridges makes the Suns a better team from a talent standpoint, while the Nuggets lose one of their most versatile players.
Booker must realize grass is not greener away from Phoenix
This is also a helpful reminder to Booker that playing elsewhere would not guarantee success either. Plenty of other front offices have made strange decisions in the last couple of months alone, from the Boston Celtics trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George to James Harden once again getting paid good money to not show up in the playoffs.
Who knows, Jokic could be the next superstar who, despite saying he will never leave Denver, asks to be traded. He could do worse than the Suns (we realize he could also do better, but now is a time for optimism with training camp right around the corner...).
Booker might be entering the Damian Lillard stage of his own career, but right now, it looks like the more appealing road compared to Jokic. His front office keeps letting down one of the best players of all time, something that cannot be said in Phoenix as they keep trying to find creative ways to win.
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