Peyton Watson Draws Bulls Interest With $60+ Million Flexibility

The Chicago Bulls have emerged as a team to watch for peyton watson, the Denver Nuggets' restricted free agent. Chicago's interest comes after a breakout 2025-26 campaign for Watson and as the Bulls prepare for free agency with more than $60 million in spending power.

Bulls circle Watson

Marc Stein noted that people around the NBA believe the Bulls will have interest in Watson, and he also said Chicago expressed interest in trading for him at the deadline. That puts the Bulls on the list of teams with a realistic path to make a run at him once the market opens.

Watson's status matters because he is not reaching unrestricted free agency. Denver retains the right to match any offer sheet that comes his way, so any team that wants him will have to make a number strong enough to force the Nuggets into a decision.

Denver's matching edge

The Nuggets' cap sheet is described as crammed, which is why Watson has been mentioned as a possible offseason target for other teams. Even so, his breakout 2025-26 campaign gives Denver a player worth holding onto if it wants to keep him in place.

The Bulls' front office firings happened before the recent report about Watson, leaving Chicago with interest in a player but without a settled lead decision-maker. That makes the team's $60+ million in spending power the clearest part of the equation: it gives the Bulls room to make a serious offer if they choose to push ahead.

Chicago's offseason leverage

For Bulls fans, the practical takeaway is simple. Chicago has already shown interest, now has the financial space to act, and sits in a market where Denver can still match. That combination makes Watson one of the cleaner names to watch as the Bulls sort out their next move.