DENVER, CO - MARCH 29: Nikola Jokic #15 and Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets talk during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 29, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 29: Nikola Jokic #15 and Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets talk during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 29, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Cavaliers conducted an introductory press conference for Peyton Watson, their newest acquisition this summer, after a sign-and-trade deal landed the 24-year-old a four-year, $88 million contract extension in Cleveland.
During the press conference, the former Nuggets player shared key takeaways from playing with Nikola Jokic and compared the NBA’s Eastern Conference to the Western Conference.
“A lot, a lot,” Peyton Watson said about how much playing with Jokic helped him improve his game.
“I think my IQ for the game has gotten a lot better just playing with him. Knowing the right places to be at the right time and knowing how to play with a superstar is something that’s invaluable in this league with so much talent.
“I think you need to always know how to play off of other players and how to make other players better, even if you don’t necessarily have the ball in your hands. So, playing with him was something that definitely sharpened my IQ and just my overall mentality towards the game.”
“When you come up as like a highly touted guy and somebody who always is used to having the ball in your hands, it’s a big, you know, adjustment for a lot of people, not only to check yourself and your ego, but to also go out there and play the game unselfishly and the way it’s supposed to be played.”
“Especially given the track record of some of the talented guys in this league. You know, coming into Denver, I just wanted to find ways to keep myself on the court, and that was one of those things that not only helped me individually, but also helped my career,” he concluded on his time with Jokic and the Nuggets.
Later in the press conference, Peyton Watson also addressed the transition from the Western to the Eastern Conference after a summer of major offseason moves in the East.
“Oh, man. It’s a party in the East, dog. Every night it’s going to be a battle. And that’s what I look forward to,” Watson said.
“You know, I was playing obviously in the West for the previous three years, and I remember just feeling like every night out was just going to be a different challenge, and the league has just gotten so good all around.”
“Every team is so talented and well-coached that you really can’t take a night off. Um, but I’m really looking forward to taking the challenge head-on because when you prepare yourself, when you practice and you really prepare yourself, I feel like later on down the road when we hit adversity in the playoffs, we’ll look back at the regular season as a blessing because we played so many elite opponents leading up to the playoffs.”
“So, I’m looking forward to it. The competition is everything. The games are going to be great. Our crowd is going to be great. I’m looking forward to hearing the fans in there cheering us on. You guys have a lot to look forward to. And it’s going to be a really fun season for sure,” Watson concluded.
After a championship with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in his rookie season (2022-23), Peyton Watson steadily cemented himself as a regular rotation player over the last few years.
He is coming off a season where he averaged career highs in almost every major statistical category except steals. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three.
Subsequently, the 24-year-old is now expected to replace Dean Wade (who joined the 76ers) in their starting lineup. Peyton Watson, who gained valuable experience in Denver and alongside Nikola Jokic, moves into the next phase of his career with a new opportunity in Cleveland.
As the Cavaliers navigate a more competitive Eastern Conference and push for a deeper postseason run, his development and improved shooting could make him a key asset in their championship hopes.
It remains to be seen how impactful this change will be for the Cavaliers as they look to compete in a revamped Eastern Conference.