Instead of worrying about Watson and resigning him for 20mil+ next season, the nuggets choose to pivot to Ayo Dosunmu who they can sign for cheaper and is a better fit anyway.

With this trade they acquire Tobias on an expiring contract while also dumping Zeke. Clearing up more than enough money to resign Ayo next summer for 15mil a year plus have money to work with in order to keep a bench. Under Watson, all the money available would go to him and they’d be back to having no bench whatsoever. Which doesn’t seem very worth it when you can get someone just as good, but more fitting as Denver still needs another ball handler.