The Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, and the LA Clippers have agreed on a major three-team deal headlined by Peyton Watson.
Watson will be sent to the Cavaliers, Max Strus is going to Los Angeles, while an unprotected 2031 Cavs first-round pick and a 2032 Sacramento Kings second-rounder will be delivered to Denver, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Watson will subsequently sign a four-year, $88 million deal with the Cavaliers as part of the sign-and-trade agreement.
As also part of the deal, the Cavaliers are sending Tre Mann, the Clippers’ 2027 second-round pick, and cash to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Cam Whitmore. Washington will then send Julian Reese to Denver, where the Nuggets are expected to waive him from his two-way contract.
Cavaliers win Peyton Watson sweepstakes via huge sign-and-trade deal
After over a month of waiting, the Peyton Watson saga finally ends with the talented wing joining one of his top suitors in the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Averaging a career-best 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, Watson delivered a breakout 2025-26 campaign for the Denver Nuggets. But injuries and availability have completely hindered his rise, as he has only appeared in 54 games.
Still, he entered the offseason as a marquee restricted free agent who drew other teams' signing interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, LA Clippers, and Atlanta Hawks.
Watson will be leaving Denver after being landed by the franchise as the 30th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He earns a solid payday by inking a four-year, $88 million deal with the Cavs.
Max Strus joins Clippers
With Peyton Watson joining them, the Cleveland Cavaliers had no choice but to part ways with Max Strus.
After dealing Dennis Schroder to the Charlotte Hornets, past reports indicated that the Cavs had strongly shopped Strus with the hopes of creating flexibility.
The veteran struggled with a severe left foot fracture that limited him to exactly 12 regular-season games for the Cavaliers, where he averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. In the end, he played a key role for Cleveland's return to the East Finals in eight years this past NBA Playoffs.
Strus will reunite with Darius Garland in the Clippers, where he will enter 2026-27 as the final year of his current four-year, $62.3 million contract.