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The Cleveland Cavaliers completed a four-team trade that brings wing player Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets while shipping veteran Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday night. The transaction, which also involves the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings, addresses Cleveland’s need for perimeter depth following recent roster changes.
Watson, a 23-year-old restricted free agent who began his NBA career with Denver, will sign a four-year contract with Cleveland worth $88 million that includes a player option and trade kicker. Last season, the forward made a career-high 40 starts and posted averages of 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
In return, the Cavaliers send Denver an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2032 second-round selection acquired from Sacramento during June’s NBA draft. The Nuggets also receive Julian Reese from Washington, while Cleveland obtains a 2027 second-round pick from Los Angeles that will be directed to the Wizards.
The addition of Watson fills a void created when LeBron James opted to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers rather than return to Cleveland. The team had also evaluated free agents DeMar DeRozan and Jonathan Kuminga before completing this acquisition.
Strus and Dean Wade had shared starting duties at small forward for the Cavaliers last season. Wade departed in free agency to Philadelphia, and Strus now heads to Los Angeles after appearing in limited action due to a left foot fracture that sidelined him for the first 67 games. He contributed crucial plays during Cleveland’s playoff run, which culminated in an Eastern Conference Finals appearance and a sweep by the New York Knicks.
Cleveland had earlier maneuvered to create salary cap flexibility by trading Dennis Schroder to Charlotte for Tre Mann. Mann’s tenure with the Cavaliers proved brief, as he was subsequently traded to Washington for Cam Whitmore.
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