Restricted free-agent drama could be first domino in Celtics' next great signing

Earlier this month, the Boston Celtics got busy in free agency. They signed Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley, with Robinson being their biggest free-agent fish in quite some time. Hours later they traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, a 2028 first-round pick swap, Philly’s 2031 first, and two seconds.

George’s contract is believed by many to be one of the worst in the NBA. The 36-year-old forward is set to earn $54.1 million this season, and then has a player option for $56.6 million the following year.

Could that player option be more valuable than we’re all considering?

If Boston can convince George to opt out and re-sign for less, then they could have some extra dollars to spend at this time next year.

Those hypothetical extra dollars make Marc Stein’s latest report all the more interesting. Stein released a Sunday night edition of his Steinline newsletter with intel on the situations surrounding restricted free agents Jalen Duren and Peyton Watson.

“League sources say Watson, like Detroit's Jalen Duren, has been weighing the unappealing prospect of playing out the 2026-27 season on a qualifying offer with the intent to become an unrestricted free agent next summer,” Stein wrote. “Actually doing so, mind you, means leaving millions on the table.”

Stein included that the Denver Nuggets offered Watson a four-year deal worth $70 million. So, a little over $17 million per season.

Peyton Watson would be a great get for the Celtics

If the Celtics somehow sway George to leave $56 million on the table, then the 23-year-old Nuggets forward would almost certainly have to be on their radar. Now, I want to stress that it is extremely unlikely that Paul George would willingly sacrifice that amount of money. But, if he were to do so, then it would be great for Boston.

He did already waive his trade kicker for this season, for what it's worth.

Watson had himself something of a breakout season in Denver. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 combined steals and blocks per game while shooting an efficient 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from deep.

Every single one of those stats, besides blocks, saw a significant jump from the prior year. Celtics fans will remember Watson’s monster game at TD Garden this past season. He led the Nuggets to a 114-110 win over Boston with a 30-point game while star center Nikola Jokic recovered from an injury.

Watson brought a tremendous energy to that matchup and momentum shifted while he was in the game. Unfortunately for him and the team, Watson ended the season on the bench as he battled a lingering hamstring strain into the playoffs.

The injury is likely one of the reasons why he and the Nuggets can’t come to terms on a new deal. Another would be Denver’s reluctance to rise back above the league’s second-apron threshold -- a fate they’ve now taken on after matching the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offer sheet for restricted free agent Spencer Jones.

Denver’s financial bind makes it all the more likely Watson will be playing his basketball elsewhere in the near future. They just don’t have the funds to retain him.

If Watson were to land with the Cs, he’d be a great fit. His offense continues to improve year-over-year, and defensively he’s disruptive enough to make an impact -- though the advanced metrics don’t love him. Still, at just 23 years old, Watson would absolutely be worth a shot for the right price.

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