Cleveland Cavaliers Planning to Trade for Peyton Watson?

What Makes Peyton Watson a Prime Target for the Cavaliers

For starters, the Cleveland Cavaliers were exposed at the small forward position against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Dean Wade is a solid defender but just didn’t offer enough offensively to make the Knicks frontcourt players worry about Wade’s offensive prowess or being tired out on the defensive end guarding Wade, who is more of a catch-and-shoot player that does not threaten the defense putting the basketball on the floor.

In games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Wade had zero points. The Cavaliers let Wade leave in free agency, where Wade eventually signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cavaliers’ first option was to recruit Northeast Ohio’s favorite son LeBron James for a storybook ending to his career.

Once James announced he would be signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cavaliers were rumored to pivot to Peyton Watson a 23-year-old Nuggets small forward who averaged 14.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. With Watson’s rookie deal set to expire, he is seeking a larger contract entering the early prime of his career.

At 6’8, Watson has the size to guard multiple positions in the front and backcourt, providing the Cavaliers value and an asset they have been searching for defensively since LeBron James’ departure in 2018. To keep up with the Knicks, 76ers, Heat, Wizards, Pacers, Raptors, and Pistons, the Cavaliers must add Watson and re-sign James Harden to keep pace in the Eastern Conference, which has been significantly upgraded in player acquisition in free agency.