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Peyton Watson Says Nikola Jokic Sharpened His Basketball IQ in Denver
Peyton Watson spent his introductory press conference in Cleveland reflecting on the player he became during his time with the Denver Nuggets, crediting three-time MVP Nikola Jokic for accelerating his growth. Watson, who spent the first four years of his NBA career playing alongside Jokic in Denver, said his understanding of the game improved significantly thanks to the star center’s basketball IQ.
The Cavaliers acquired Watson this offseason through a sign-and-trade that was part of a larger five-team deal completed in late August. Cleveland then signed the 24-year-old forward to a four-year, $88 million contract, betting on his two-way potential as a wing who can defend at a high level while playing off established stars.
During Thursday’s news conference at the Cavaliers’ training complex, Watson also addressed how his move to Cleveland came together. He acknowledged the Cavaliers weren’t among the earliest teams linked to him in trade speculation, but once they entered the picture, their interest was strong.
“They weren’t one of the first teams that was speculated to be interested or one of the first teams that kind of came into the fold, but as soon as they were, they were interested,” Watson said.
Watson admitted the uncertainty of the summer tested his patience, as he was eager to find out where he’d be playing before the new season got underway. That resolution eventually came in Cleveland, where the front office reportedly views him as a potential complement to the team’s other stars in the same mold as OG Anunoby, who has thrived in a similar off-ball role with the Knicks.
James Harden also played a significant part in bringing Watson to Cleveland, reportedly making a personal call to help recruit him alongside other players and front office figures. That kind of direct outreach from a future Hall of Famer left an impression on Watson as he weighed his next NBA home.
Having spent his entire career to this point in the Western Conference with Denver, Watson now shifts to the East as part of a Cavaliers roster with high expectations for the 2026-27 season. His time playing alongside Jokic, one of the most cerebral players in the league, appears to have left a lasting mark on how Watson reads the game, and Cleveland is hoping that experience translates into an immediate contribution as he adjusts to a new system, teammates and conference.