Nuggets Notebook: Peyton Watson likely out for preseason games in Abu Dhabi; rotation battles start to take shape

The trip to Abu Dhabi will be a business venture for most of the Denver Nuggets.

Peyton Watson is one of the exceptions. The third-year forward is not expected to play in Denver’s first two preseason games after recently tweaking his hamstring.

“It’s a soft-tissue injury unfortunately,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said following the team’s first practice of the preseason Friday at Ball Arena. “I don’t think Peyton’s going to play in either of the games over in Abu Dhabi. I think it’s really important that we’re smart about his injury, his rehab, his recovery, because as much as we want him playing in these games, the season opener, in probably about four weeks, is more important than anything.”

Watson, projected to be a key piece of the second unit this season, attended practice in sweats and did some light shooting on the court after practice concluded. Rookie DaRon Holmes II, who’s expected to miss the upcoming season after tearing his Achilles tendon at Summer League, was the only other player who missed Friday’s practice, Malone said.

Braun gets first crack

The Nuggets’ coach named Christian Braun and Julian Strawther as the likely candidates to complete Denver’s starting five this season on Thursday.

Following Friday’s practice, Braun answered affirmatively when asked whether he played with the starters, but he wasn’t putting too much stock in Day 1.

“We’re going to mix it up,” Braun said. “We had a lot of different lineups. That’s training camp, though, so none of that matters. You’ve just got to be good on whatever lineup you’re in.”

Braun played in all 82 games last season, starting four times in place of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whose offseason move to Orlando opened up a spot in the starting five. Strawther played in 50 games as a rookie last season but did not start a game.

Options at back-up big

Reserve center is, once again, among the more intriguing position battles to monitor at training camp.

After one practice, a couple of veterans appear to be the primary candidates. Dario Saric provides positional versatility, while DeAndre Jordan earned a shoutout from his coach for his offseason preparations.

“I have to give DeAndre a lot of credit,” Malone said. “He has come into camp looking like a lean, mean, fighting machine. He looks great.”

Saric, 30, has played both forward positions and center over the course of his NBA career, which started with a first-team All-Rookie season with Philadelphia in 2016.

“He’s bigger than people realize. Strong, physical,” Malone said. "I’m excited to explore all the options that Dario will afford us.”

Legler remembers former Nuggets teammate

ESPN analyst and former Nuggets shooting guard Tim Legler shared a remembrance of former Denver teammate Joe Wolf on Thursday.

Wolf unexpectedly died Thursday at 59, the Milwaukee Bucks announced. Wolf was an assistant coach for Milwaukee’s G League affiliate last season.

“Very sorry to hear of the passing of the former UNC star and my Nuggets teammate Joe Wolf,” Legler posted on X. “He brought great positivity and professionalism every single day. Just a great dude. We will be praying for his family and friends as they cope with a heartbreaking loss. RIP.”

Legler and Wolf were teammates in Denver in the early 90s. Wolf later coached the Colorado 14ers during the team’s brief run in the NBA’s developmental league from 2006-09.

Proud pops

In addition to being a championship-winning coach, Malone is also a proud father of an accomplished athlete.

The Nuggets’ coach shared Friday that his daughter Bridget, a senior on the Mountain Vista volleyball team, had recently committed to play volleyball at the University of North Carolina.

“My daughter is a hell of a player. She’s going to play at Carolina,” Malone said. “She took her official visit there about a week ago. That was great, going down there and being a part of that family. I walk out of the gym every night just with so much pride, looking at her and seeing her do the things that she’s doing.”