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Cavs Land NBA Champ Watson After LeBron Sweepstakes Loss
20 Aug
Summary
- Cavaliers acquire NBA champion Peyton Watson from Nuggets.
- Watson signs a four-year, $88 million contract with Cleveland.
- Trade involves Max Strus, a first-round pick, and multiple teams.
Weeks after failing to re-sign LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a multi-team trade. Watson, who won a 2023 NBA title with Denver, has agreed to a four-year, $88 million contract. This move addresses Cleveland's need at the wing position following James' decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 24. The Cavaliers sent Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers and an unprotected first-round draft pick to the Nuggets as part of the complex five-team transaction. Watson, a 2022 first-round pick, spent his first four NBA seasons with the Nuggets. This acquisition comes after the Cavaliers lost Dean Wade to the 76ers earlier in free agency. Cleveland also created financial flexibility by trading Dennis Schroder to the Charlotte Hornets on August 14. Watson averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds during the 2025-26 regular season but missed significant time due to a hamstring injury. His career averages stand at 8.7 points per game.
