NBA Restricted Market Shrinks to Three: Duren, Watson and Mathurin Still Waiting
nba-restricted-market-shrinks-to-three-duren-watson-and-mathurin-still-waiting
With most of this summer’s restricted free-agent deals already completed, only three notable names remain unsigned: Jalen Duren, Peyton Watson and Bennedict Mathurin.
Pistons center Jalen Duren
The 22-year-old All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selection has not received a maximum offer from Detroit. League sources indicate the Pistons have yet to extend the standard 25 percent max contract, let alone the 30 percent figure for which his All-NBA honor makes him eligible.
No team has enough remaining cap space to present Duren with a competing offer sheet, leaving the qualifying offer—worth approximately $9.6 million—as his primary leverage. Accepting it would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer, but would also mean passing up the long-term security Detroit is reportedly willing to provide.
Nuggets forward Peyton Watson
Denver is said to value Watson highly and believes it can keep him. The Bucks, Clippers and Hawks have been linked to the 6-foot-8 wing, yet any move would likely require a sign-and-trade because none of those teams has the cap room to sign him outright.
Financial pressure looms for the Nuggets. ESPN’s Bobby Marks estimates that a contract starting around $23 million for Watson, combined with the expected return of Spencer Jones, would push Denver’s payroll to roughly $246 million and trigger an estimated $231 million luxury-tax bill.
Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin
Mathurin’s situation has generated the least buzz. The former No. 6 overall pick has drawn limited reported interest so far. Los Angeles has also explored Watson as a possibility, which could eventually steer the Clippers back toward Mathurin if other options fall through.
As training camps draw closer, all three players and their respective teams remain locked in a high-stakes waiting game.
Source: Hoops Wire
