The Cleveland Cavs have opened training camp with a fresh face in the mix, and Donovan Mitchell’s first impression of Peyton Watson came with a little surprise.
Watson, the wing Cleveland acquired this summer in a sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets, is the team’s big addition as it searches for a long-term answer at small forward. Mitchell, who also re-signed with the Cavs this offseason, said he got his first real look at Watson at the World Cup - and immediately noticed the size.
“I saw Peyton at the World Cup and I had told Koby (Altman), we were just talking briefly, it had nothing to do with him coming here. I was like, ‘Man, he’s tall as [expletive].’
I didn’t think he was that tall. Had no clue that that was even a thought,” said Mitchell, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
That length is part of what makes Watson such an intriguing fit in Cleveland. He can bother passing lanes, cover ground, and bring the kind of versatility teams lean on heavily at the wing. On top of that, he showed real growth on the offensive end for Denver last season, especially during the month-long stretch when Nikola Jokic was sidelined with an injury.
Mitchell also pointed to Watson’s mindset and the way he competes.
“Competing against him, just seeing the dog he has him, I didn’t even know he was 23, 24 years old because he plays as if he’s older. Obviously, playing on a contender in Denver, understanding what winning is and you guys have heard his comments about just wanting to make winning plays,” Mitchell added.
For a Cavaliers team that has spent years trying to stabilize the three spot, Watson offers a possible answer. If he gives Cleveland steady production there, the path opens for the Cavs to make a real push in 2026-27.
Cleveland opens its season on October 22 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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For Allen and Evan Mobley, the appeal is simple: better point-of-attack and wing defense can cut down on the constant rotation and cleanup work that falls on them in the paint. Allen also pointed to the teams chemistry building over the offseason, and if those new pieces settle in the way Cleveland hopes, the Cavaliers could be better equipped to handle the kind of perimeter pressure that has too often spilled inward. [Read more 🡒]