The Denver Nuggets lost a key piece of their team this offseason after Peyton Watson’s departure to the Cleveland Cavaliers via sign-and-trade. As a restricted free agent, the Nuggets could have matched any offer Watson received, but opted not to re-sign the young wing. Nuggets veteran forward Aaron Gordon had grown close with Watson the past couple of years, and is happy for the young guard’s new opportunity, as per Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports.

“It’s deeper than basketball with Peyton and I. Our family members go to the same church. Peyton is like my brother,” Gordon said. “I’m happy for him, the situation that he’s in. Obviously we would have loved to have him, but it worked out the way that it should have, it was supposed to.”

The Peyton Watson trade was expanded to a multi-team deal that included the Nuggets, Cavs, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and LA Clippers. The Nuggets received a first round pick and a second round pick from the Cavs, as well as Julian Reese from the Wizards whom they ultimately cut.

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Watson was the No. 30 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and was in the midst of a breakout season last year before an injury sidelined him for the Nuggets’ opening round playoff series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He appeared in 54 games during the regular season, including 40 starts, at a little over 29 minutes per game. The former UCLA standout was averaging a career-high 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocked shots with splits of 49.1 percent shooting from the field, 41.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 73 percent shooting from the free-throw line.