Watson Is Gone. The Center Question Is Not.

The four-team deal that sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland on August 20 at least closes one open loop. Watson had been sitting on day-to-day status since mid-July, a health question mark that complicated every conversation about Denver's wing rotation heading into training camp. Now that conversation can start fresh.

What it cannot do is change the subject. Jonas Valanciunas left for Zalgiris Kaunas in mid-July, and nothing since has addressed that departure. Valanciunas was limited — he averaged just 13 minutes a game last season — but he was a body, and a capable one, shooting better than 58 percent from the field. Denver has no comparable name behind Nikola Jokic right now, and training camp is approaching. Aaron Gordon and Trevon Brazile are both still day-to-day, which keeps the forward depth uncertain as well.

The wing additions — Lonnie Walker IV on a one-year deal, Spencer Jones retained after Denver matched an offer sheet — give the perimeter some cushion. Watson's exit stings, but the rotation can absorb it. The center spot cannot absorb anything. That has been true since July, and the Watson trade, whatever it returns, does not change it.