Report: Cavs land Watson in 4-year, $88M sign-and-trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring restricted free agent Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets as part of a multi-team sign-and-trade involving the Los Angeles Clippers, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Clippers will reportedly receive veteran sharpshooter Max Strus, while the Nuggets will get the Cavs’ unprotected 2031 first-round pick as well as the Sacramento Kings’ 2032 second-rounder.

Cleveland is signing Watson to a four-year, $88-million contract, which includes a player option and a trade kicker.

Los Angeles is also reportedly sending a 2027 second-rounder to Cleveland, which will redirect that draft selection along with Tre Mann and cash to the Washington Wizards for Cam Whitmore, Charania reports.

Additionally, the Wizards are sending Julian Resse to the Nuggets, who’ll waive him, adds Charania.

A previously reported trade that sent Dennis Schroder to the Hornets is being included in this one, making the sign-and-trade a five-team agreement, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

5-team breakdown

Team Acquired
Cavaliers Peyton Watson/Cam Whitmore
Nuggets 2031 1st-round pick (via CLE)/2032 2nd-round pick (via SAC)/Julian Reese (waived)
Clippers Max Strus
Wizards Tre Mann/2027 2nd-round pick (via PHI)/cash
Hornets Dennis Schroder/cash
Watson is coming off a breakout campaign with Nuggets in which he averaged 14.6 points and shot 41.1% from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-8 forward apparently drew interest and offers from the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Clippers before landing with Cavaliers, according to Charania.

Meanwhile, Strus averaged 11.2 points per contest and is a career 37% 3-point shooter. His $16.6-million expiring contract will go into the $17-million John Collins trade exception, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

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