The Cleveland Cavaliers are still hunting for help after falling short in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and the early returns on their offseason have not exactly been a smash hit. For now, though, the focus has narrowed to one name: Peyton Watson.
Watson, 23, has been Cleveland’s top target for the past few weeks, and the Cavaliers appear to be treating him as their preferred Plan B wing option after missing out on LeBron James. According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, Cleveland would be willing to put Max Strus or Dennis Schröder on the table along with a future swap.
“The Cavaliers appear to be prioritizing Peyton Watson now over Jonathan Kuminga as their Plan B wing option after missing out on LeBron James. Cleveland would offer Max Strus or Dennis Schröder alongside a future swap. The Nuggets remain in a serious bind due to apron issues," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
There’s also a sense that talks are getting serious. Sidery later reported that the two teams are actively working through trade discussions.
“The Nuggets and Cavaliers are deep in trade negotiations involving Peyton Watson,” Sidery posted.
Watson would give Cleveland another young player with the chance to grow into a long-term piece, which is part of the appeal here. The Cavaliers also seem to be keeping their books flexible, with James Harden not yet re-signing, a detail that could help them preserve the room needed to chase someone like Watson.
If the Watson pursuit stalls, Cleveland already has another name lined up. NBA insider Brett Siegel said the Cavaliers would pivot to Jonathan Kuminga if they come up short on Watson.
“Cleveland is highly motivated to land one of Watson or Kuminga. Who knows?
Maybe the Cavs end up with both if they move Max Strus and find other ways to save money. Should the Cavs swing and miss on a sign-and-trade for Watson, then Kuminga will be their obvious choice,” Siegel wrote.
Kuminga would give Cleveland a real fallback option, even if the team views Watson as the higher-upside play. If Kuminga keeps developing and matures as a player, the Cavaliers could grow more comfortable making him the next move.
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