Peyton Watson opens up on playing with Nikola Jokic, saying it’s not as people imagine

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Nikola Jokic is often called the best basketball player in the world, but he doesn’t fit the usual profile of an NBA superstar.

Nowadays, players aren’t just sportsmen, they’re businessmen who take care of their own brands. However, Jokic doesn’t seem interested in exploring those opportunities away from the court.

The Denver Nuggets centre is sometimes mocked for how little excitement he shows off the court. To him, basketball is just another job, rather than something to get worked up about.

Peyton Watson has spent three seasons alongside him and recently gave some insight into what it’s really like to share a locker room with Jokic.

Peyton Watson sheds light on the most misunderstood part of Nikola Jokic’s personality

Watson explained that many people get the wrong idea about Jokic, thinking he’s as reserved around his teammates as he is in public, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

He described Jokic as “the biggest jokester” in the Nuggets locker room, saying that he brings a lot more energy and personality to the group than most realise.

“It’s great just to learn from them,” Watson said about playing with Jokic and Jamal Murray. “From day one, I’ve always looked at what they’ve done and spectated from afar when I wasn’t really playing.

“I was just always watching what they would do and their work habits, what time they were getting to the gym, what they were eating before the games.

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“They’re just two super consistent dudes. They’re consistent with their work, they’re consistent in their approach to the game, and in their demeanours.

“It seems at times like Jokic can be emotionless and things like that, but when you’re really around him on a day-to-day basis, he’s the biggest jokester. He’s the most animated person sometimes.

“I just feel like when both of those two get on the court, they’re killers. And obviously, playing alongside them, they make the game easy. They draw so much attention themselves that it just opens up spots for me.”

Peyton Watson joins improved Nuggets second unit

Depth was an issue for Denver during the 2025 playoffs, but the front office made several moves this summer to strengthen the bench.

The Nuggets sent Dario Saric to New Orleans in exchange for backup centre Jonas Valanciunas, who should give Jokic around 10 minutes of rest per game in the postseason.

Denver also brought back Bruce Brown on a minimum deal after two years with Indiana. The team also picked up Tim Hardaway Jr from Detroit, adding another experienced option to round out the second unit.