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The Cleveland Cavaliers Won the Peyton Watson Trade?
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cleveland Cavaliers Won the Peyton Watson Trade?

Originally posted on TWSN  |  By Garret Staples  |  Last updated Aug 20, 2026 12:02 PM ET
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The Cleveland Cavaliers traded with the Denver Nuggets for Peyton Watson

The Cleveland Cavaliers gave signs they were going to make a big swing by trading for Jonathan Kuminga or Peyton Watson. Last week, the Cavaliers traded away Dennis Schroeder to the Charlotte Hornets to offload more salary to acquire what has turned into Peyton Watson in a three-team trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, and the Los Angeles Clippers.

NBA ESPN beat reporter broke the news on the blockbuster trade Per Shams Charania:

“The Cavaliers, Nuggets and Clippers agreed on a trade that will send Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to Los Angeles, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. As part of the multiteam deal, Denver will receive an unprotected 2031 Cavs first-round pick and a 2032 Sacramento Kings second-rounder, according to sources.

Watson will sign a new four-year, $88 million deal with a player option and trade kicker to join the Cavaliers, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agents Lucas Newton and Calvin Andrews told ESPN.”

After the Cavaliers were swept in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was clear an upgrade at the small forward position was needed over former starter Dean Wade, who struggled on the offensive end, being blanked in Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, scoring zero points in back-to-back games. The Cavaliers let Wade leave to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Max Strus was moved to L.A. to get under the second apron of the salary cap so the sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson could happen for Cleveland.

What does the Peyton Watson trade mean for the Cavaliers

As in my previous column, tracking the potential Cleveland Cavaliers trade for Peyton Watson. The Cavaliers have been searching for a small forward who could score and defend since LeBron James departed for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. It has been a revolving door for the CAVS at the small forward position.

The Cavaliers drafted Issac Okoro in the first round. Signed Max Strus. Traded for De’Andre Hunter. Took chances on Dean Wade and Georges Niang. All failures that have not worked out during the Donovan Mitchell era in Cleveland. The Knicks exposed the Cavaliers frontcourt. New York was more athletic, aggressive, and physical.

Peyton Watson’s 6’8 frame will help defend opposing teams’ top backcourt players and help defend top frontcourt players. Offensively, Dean Wade was limited. Watson came into his own, scoring 17.3 points in 40 starts in Denver last season. Just under 50% from the floor. Shooting 43% from the 3-point line. This was a mandatory trade the Cavaliers had to make to stay pace with blockbuster signings like LeBron James going to Philadelphia or Kawhi Leonard traded to the Toronto Raptors.

What’s Next for the Cavaliers?

Look for the Cavaliers to sign James Harden to a long-term extension. Harden opted out and refrained from signing a contract, giving the Cavaliers a chance to make a run recruiting LeBron James back home to Cleveland and a contingency plan pivoting to signing Peyton Watson via sign-and-trade to fix the small forward position after James signed in the city of brotherly love.

This article first appeared on TWSN and was syndicated with permission.

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