Peyton Watson didn’t have Cleveland circled at the start of free agency, but once the Cavaliers got involved, the appeal was obvious to him. Introduced Thursday at the team’s training facility as a new member of the Cavs, the restricted free agent wing said the opportunity to play behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley made the fit stand out.
“I feel like it just gives me a lot more leeway and a lot more rope to be more aggressive defensively,” Watson said. “I think playing the passing lanes more aggressively and really push up on guys more knowing that I have that back line behind me and I have elite rim protection in JA and Evan. I think it makes our team a threat defensively because we can play very aggressive and very physical while at the same time not giving up too many shots at the rim.”
Watson is coming off a breakout year in Denver, where he set career bests across the board in 2025/26: 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, along with shooting splits of .491/.411/.730. Cleveland saw enough in that jump to believe he can help right away, and president of basketball operations Koby Altman said the 24-year-old still has room to grow.
“We’re really excited about what he’s going to bring to the table right away, but I think even more than that, his best basketball is ahead of him,” Altman said, per Reedy. “He’s going to help us win some games, but I’m also really excited about his trajectory with us.”
Elsewhere in the East, the Raptors made their coaching changes official on Thursday, announcing that Stephen Silas has been hired as an assistant, as had been reported in July. Jeremy Castleberry is also back on Toronto’s staff; he has worked closely with Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio, Toronto and Los Angeles after playing with him at San Diego State.
The Magic are bringing in Ronnie Burrell to run their G League team, the Osceola Magic, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Burrell spent the last two seasons as a Trail Blazers assistant after several years with the Nets, and he was named G League Coach of the Year in 2022/23 after guiding Brooklyn’s affiliate, the Long Island Nets, to a 23-9 regular season.
And in New York, ESPN’s Zach Kram pointed to Landry Shamet’s four-year, $24MM contract and Jose Alvarado’s three-year, $14.4MM deal as two of the summer’s best value signings, though he still handed the Knicks a B-minus offseason grade because of a backup center downgrade tied to second-apron concerns.
In Other News...
Magic Pipeline Just Took A Turn Fans Should Watch Closely
The Magics player-development pipeline has a new voice at the top, with Ronnie Burrell hired as head coach of the Osceola Magic. Burrell brings previous NBA assistant coaching experience and arrives with real credibility in the G League after being named the leagues coach of the year in 2023, giving Orlandos affiliate a veteran hand as it continues to serve as a proving ground for the organization.
Burrell replaces Dylan Murphy, who left to join the University of Michigan staff, and the move keeps the focus on how Orlando wants its development arm to function going forward. The Osceola Magic are set to open their 2026-27 season on Nov. 8, so the next steps for Burrell will come into view quickly as he starts shaping the roster and the routines that help determine who gets the call up next. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Fans Face A Big Viewing Change This Season
Magic fans who have gotten used to chasing games across a patchwork of cable and streaming options are going to have a new home to learn this season. The Magic have announced DAZN as their exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming partner for the 2026-27 season, giving viewers live and on-demand access to preseason and regular-season games that are not picked up nationally.
The arrangement also keeps the broadcast booth familiar, with Dante Marchitelli set to handle lead play-by-play and Jeff Turner returning as analyst. DAZN will offer several subscription plans, along with discounts for season ticket holders and a free seven-day trial in the Magics broadcast territory, which should make the transition a little easier for fans who want to follow the team game by game. [Read more 🡒]
Jamal Cain Has One Big Chance To Earn Orlando's Trust
Jamal Cain is back in a familiar but meaningful spot for the Magic heading into the new season, moving into his second year with the team after last seasons contract conversion from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract. Now entering his fifth year in the league, Cain remains the kind of role player Orlando likes to keep around because of his energy, athleticism and ability to hit from deep, traits that can matter a lot over a long season when the rotation gets tested.
The challenge for Cain is turning that profile into dependable production when the games tighten and the minutes become more important. He was pressed into a starting role during the playoffs and struggled to give Orlando much offensively, which is why this season feels like a real proving ground. The Magic need him to show growth and make good on the trust theyve already invested, especially if he is going to be a useful bench piece when the team needs an extra spark. [Read more 🡒]