Every kid at some point in their lives asked for something from their parents only to be told “we have that thing at home,” which is how I felt when I saw the suggestions that the Detroit Pistons should pursue Peyton Watson.
The restricted free agent is in a standoff with the Denver Nuggets, and like the Pistons and Jalen Duren, it’s not going well, as they don’t want to pay what he wants, but Watson doesn’t have many other options.
Denver has reportedly lowered their asking price in a sign-and-trade to “just” a high-level player and a first-round pick. Is that all?
Watson did have a breakout season, averaging over 14 per game on efficient shooting, but he played 54 games and has averaged double digits in his career a grand total of one time.
Watson is also looking for $25-28 million per year, so Detroit would have to find a way to take on another big contract while they are still trying to ink Jalen Duren and extend Ausar Thompson.
Watson is a nice young player, but that’s a steep price for a guy who has really only had (barely) one good season, especially when the Pistons potentially have a far cheaper version already on the roster.
Ron Holland II could put up Peyton Watson numbers soon
Watson shot over 41 percent from 3-point range last season, and he’s a very good perimeter defender, so as of right now, he’s better than Holland.
And he should be, as he’s almost three years older and has had two more years of development under his belt.
Before his breakout season, Watson’s numbers looked eerily similar to Holland’s. I’ve said this before, but shooting is the thing players can most reliably improve, so while I don’t expect Holland to suddenly be Steph Curry, he could follow the same developmental path as Watson.
Holland just turned 21 years old. When Watson was 21 years old, he averaged 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor and 29 percent from 3-point range.
Last season, Ron Holland averaged 8.2 points and four rebounds while shooting 43 percent from the floor and 25 percent from long range, taking more than double the attempts that Watson took when he was a year older.
Watson went from 29 to 35 to 41 percent from ages 21-23, and Holland hopes to make a similar leap.
There is no sense in giving up draft assets and a huge salary slot to Watson when they already have Holland, who could easily be better than him in a season or two.
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