The Nuggets exercised the third-year, $2.4 million team option on Watson's rookie contract Wednesday, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson didn't play much as a rookie last year, averaging just 3.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game across 23 appearances. However, the departures of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green this offseason have opened up playing time for Watson and others. The 2022 No. 30 overall pick isn't guaranteed a major role, but the Nuggets exercising his option suggests they think Watson can contribute over the next two years.

Watson posted 10 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one steal and one block in 20 minutes during Tuesday's 115-107 preseason win over the Suns.

EDGE Analysis

Watson shined during Summer League action before getting shut down and was solid during Denver's preseason opener. The 2022 first-round pick didn't play much as a rookie, but due to the departures of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, Watson could carve out a reserve role in the frontcourt this season.

Watson won't play for the remainder of the 2023 Summer League, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson doesn't appear to have suffered any injury but won't play Friday. In all likelihood, the Nuggets have seen enough from their first-round pick in 2022. Watson is poised to receive a bigger role in Denver next season after making just 23 appearances in 2022-23.

Watson (undisclosed) is not in the first unit for Wednesday's game against Utah.

EDGE Analysis

Watson's absence from the starting lineup likely indicates he won't play Wednesday considering he's started in all of the Nuggets' games this summer. Though it hasn't been confirmed he'll be shut down for the rest of the summer, it wouldn't be surprising, as Watson figures to be a rotation piece for Denver during the regular season.

Watson produced 23 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 3PT, 10-13 FT), five rebounds, two assists, three steals, three blocks and one three-pointer over 30 minutes in Friday's 92-85 Summer League loss to the Bucks.

EDGE Analysis

Watson didn't play much for Denver during his rookie season, appearing in 23 games and averaging just 8.1 minutes. The Nuggets seem to be very high on him, however, and Friday night he showed exactly why. With Bruce Brown now in Indiana, Watson will have a chance to compete with Christian Braun and Justin Holiday for rotation minutes behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Watson isn't starting Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Timberwolves on Sunday, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson will unsurprisingly retreat to the bench for the start of the playoffs despite starting two of the team's final three regular-season games while key contributors rested. He averaged 2.8 points in 6.4 minutes per game over 21 appearances off the bench during the regular season.

Watson is in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

The Nuggets decided to rest their entire starting unit for the final game of the regular season, meaning Watson will have the chance to show what he can do in extended minutes. He'll start alongside Bruce Brown, Christian Braun, Vlatko Cancar and DeAndre Jordan.

Watson registered six points (1-1 FG, 4-7 FT), three rebounds, four assists and three blocks over 17 minutes during Saturday's 118-114 loss to Utah.

EDGE Analysis

Watson moved back to the bench Saturday, yet still managed to play 17 minutes. While there are no fantasy ramifications here, it is interesting that he played ahead of both DeAndre Jordan and Thomas Bryant, both of whom remained fixed to the bench. Watson has established himself as a backup piece for the Nuggets, playing at least 17 minutes in five straight games.

Watson will come off the bench for Saturday's game against the Jazz.

EDGE Analysis

Watson will return to the second unit for Saturday's game after struggling in his first career start. Regardless, the UCLA product could see a larger role with the Nuggets starters expected to play reduced minutes.

Watson is part of the first unit for Thursday's game against the Suns.

EDGE Analysis

Watson earns the starting nod Thursday with the entirety of the normal starting five absent for the Nuggets. The 30th overall pick has come on as of late, setting new career-high point totals in each of his last two appearances.