Clippers' predicament gives Bucks a Peyton Watson edge they must act on

Behind the Buck Pass · Jul 22, 2026 22:15 · 2 min read

Clippers' predicament gives Bucks a Peyton Watson edge they must act on — Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on February 4, 2024. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Milwaukee Bucks' biggest advantage in the Peyton Watson chase is that they are not involved in the Kawhi Leonard scandal.

The Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers are two teams frequently mentioned as sign-and-trade suitors for Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson. Both teams could make a splash for the forward, but the Bucks have an advantage, given that they aren't dealing with a major scandal. Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Clippers are holding off on "significant" roster decisions until theirs is resolved.

Kawhi scandal opens the door for Bucks to operate

To sum it up, Kawhi Leonard, Aspiration, and the LA Clippers are under investigation for claims of cap circumvention. The investigation is currently holding up a major trade that would send Leonard to the Toronto Raptors that was announced—yet not made official—weeks ago. That deal won't go through, if it even does happen anymore, before a verdict comes in this investigation.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently said that the investigation "needs to end" before the season. There's no telling if it does by then, but even if it does, this saga could drag on for months. LA would not make a significant play for a piece like Watson without clarity on the immediate future of the team. That gives the Milwaukee Bucks a golden opportunity to ramp up their pursuit.

Bucks have a golden opportunity to snag Watson

While the Milwaukee Bucks aren't having a scandal-free summer—as the league is investigating them for potential cap circumvention regarding Gary Trent Jr.'s contract—it's certainly not as prominent as the Leonard controversy. The Bucks can still make moves to further tweak their roster, unlike LA, as they await the NBA's potential punishment.

Time is of the essence, essentially. If the Milwaukee Bucks can piece together an adequate package while the Clippers are stuck in neutral, perhaps they could get a deal for Watson over the finish line. It might depend on how badly they want him. Acquiring him won't come cheap, and the Bucks will have to not only pay Watson but also satisfy Denver's demands in a sign-and-trade.

It could very well be worth it to add arguably the best young free agent left in this class. Yet, each day that passes without a resolution on Watson, the Milwaukee Bucks lose precious time. Watson should be their top target on the market after what has been a busy summer, and they know they have a shot to grab him. They have to know an immediate threat is lurking in the background in LA.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.