League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Rich Paul says Peyton Watson was held out of playoffs to protect him

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 23, 2026, 4:25 PM

Last updated Aug 23, 2026

Rich Paul says Peyton Watson was held out of playoffs to protect him

Summary

Rich Paul, the agent for Peyton Watson, stated on his podcast that Watson was intentionally held out of the playoffs last season to safeguard his health following a hamstring injury. Watson suffered the injury in February and did not participate in the playoffs, despite reports of frustrations from teammates over his absence. His decision not to play came as he was approaching free agency, eventually signing a four-year, $88 million deal with Cleveland. The agency's focus on Watson's long-term health may have influenced his salary demands and the Denver Nuggets' decisions regarding his contract.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Watson suffered a hamstring injury in February.
•He did not play in the playoffs, leading to teammate frustration.
•Watson signed a four-year, $88 million contract with Cleveland this summer.
•Paul emphasized the need to protect players from themselves regarding injuries.
•Denver's salary decisions may have been influenced by Watson's playoff absence.

Latest Updates

7:54 PMYahoo Sports — Rich Paul speaks on holding Peyton Watson out of the NBA playoffs
4:25 PMYahoo Sports — Agent Rich Paul says Peyton Watson was held out of playoffs to protect him from himself

What they're saying