The Nuggets are sending Peyton Watson to Cleveland in a three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Clippers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Watson, a restricted free agent wing, is set to sign a four-year, $88 million contract with Cleveland that includes a player option and a 7.5% trade kicker, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Cavs are getting the athletic 23-year-old after spending several seasons searching for a long-term wing fit and cycling through Isaac Okoro, De’Andre Hunter, and Dean Wade.
Watson’s appeal is obvious. He was on track to be a Most Improved Player favorite last season before an injury cut into his year, and he still posted 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game with shooting splits of .491/.411/.730.
The bigger question in Cleveland is whether that outside shot holds up. He’s a career 36.1% shooter from three, but he hasn’t taken a high volume of them.
With Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen already in the frontcourt, the Cavs will need him to keep defenses honest for Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, if Cleveland brings Harden back.
As part of the deal, the Cavaliers are sending Max Strus to the Clippers. Los Angeles will absorb Strus’ $16.6 million expiring salary using the $17 million trade exception created in the John Collins sign-and-trade, according to Bobby Marks. The Clippers remain $11.7 million below the first apron, but they still have a decision to make on restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin.
Cleveland is also sending Tre Mann, the recently acquired 2027 Clippers second-round pick, and cash to the Wizards for wing Cam Whitmore, Charania reported. Washington, in turn, will send Julian Reese to the Nuggets, who will waive the rebounding big man. Charania noted that the Wizards have been looking for another guard for the last several weeks.
The Nuggets will receive a 2031 first-round pick from the Cavaliers and a 2032 second-rounder from the Kings. They’re also getting the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate and the 2027 second-round pick they previously acquired in the Johnni Broome trade, according to Jake Fischer.
Denver is now expected to shift its focus to free agent DeMar DeRozan, Chris Haynes reports. DeRozan was waived by the Kings in July after averaging 18.4 points and 4.1 assists in 31.2 minutes per game last season.
Before the deal came together, the Bucks, Trail Blazers, and Clippers had all made offers for Watson, Charania reported.
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