The Clippers are locked in a high-stakes battle for restricted free agent Peyton Watson, but their cap crunch and Denver’s luxury tax nightmare are turning this into a chess match. With LA out of room to sign Watson outright, they’re pushing for a sign-and-trade — and Denver, already over the luxury tax threshold after matching a deal for Spencer Jones, may have to trade assets like Nnaji or Braun to free up space. Denver’s lowball offer — a four-year, $70M deal when Watson’s market value is closer to $25M/year — makes a trade even more likely. Teams like Atlanta and Milwaukee are circling, but LA’s best shot hinges on convincing Denver to part with Watson — and that means handing over future picks and matching salary. It’s a complex, high-stakes maneuver for a player who’s too valuable to let walk.

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