The Cavaliers still haven’t formally announced it, but the rest of the league has already put the pieces on the board. The trade is on NBA.com’s official transaction log, and what started out as two separate reports has now been finalized as one sprawling five-team deal.
Cleveland lands Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade from Denver, Cam Whitmore from Washington, and the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate from the Clippers. In return, the Nuggets get Julian Reese on a two-way deal from the Wizards, plus the Cavaliers’ 2031 first-round pick and the Kings’ 2032 second-round pick.
Los Angeles brings in Max Strus. Charlotte gets Dennis Schröder and cash.
Washington ends up with Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick, and cash.
Watson’s new contract is expected to be a four-year, $88MM deal with a fourth-year player option and a 7.5% trade kicker. Denver’s former No. 30 overall pick turned in his best season yet, putting up 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals in 29.6 minutes per game while shooting .496/.411/.730.
Whitmore may not stick around in Cleveland for long, either. Spencer Davies reported Thursday that the Cavaliers were “still working through” the 22-year-old’s acquisition, which points to the possibility of another move.
Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron noted that if the Cavs need to sign James Harden to the reported three-year, $97MM deal, they could waive Whitmore and stretch the remaining $5,458,310 over three seasons, leaving a $1,819,437 cap hit each year through 2028/29. A separate trade is also on the table.
Kamagate could end up mattering just as much for Cleveland’s cap math as he does on the floor. Because the Cavs are hard-capped at the first tax apron after acquiring Watson via sign-and-trade, the French center’s draft rights give them another possible path to stay under that line. The 25-year-old has been stashed overseas for years, and if Cleveland signs him to a standard contract, he would count as a rookie minimum.
Denver’s part of the deal came with a wrinkle of its own. Even though the Nuggets are above the second apron, they were able to take Reese because he’s on a two-way contract, which doesn’t count against the salary cap.
The former Maryland forward is expected to be waived. The Nuggets also create a trade exception worth 50% of Watson’s starting salary, though they can’t use it unless they drop below the second apron.
They’re also said to be eyeing DeMar DeRozan with their 14th roster spot.
The Clippers used the $17MM traded player exception they created in the John Collins sign-and-trade to land Strus, who is owed $16.66MM. Lawrence Frank made it clear Los Angeles likes the fit.
“ We are going to be a highly competitive team this season and Max will be a big part of it,” said Frank. “ He is a great shooter with good feel who can handle and pass.
Max competes on both ends of the court and his versatility allows him to play different roles with different groups. He fits anywhere and we’re excited to bring him to L.A.
”
Charlotte, meanwhile, adds Schröder for depth behind Coby White. The Hornets are also set to receive about $4MM in cash from Cleveland to take on the extra money Schröder is owed compared to Mann.
Washington’s motivation was different: the Wizards were seeking a backup point guard and had a crowded wing rotation, which made Mann a cleaner fit. They also get a second-round pick and cash, while Whitmore’s third season was cut short because of a blood clot in his shoulder.
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