The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a four-team trade with the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards, Shams Charania reports. The main move of the deal sees Peyton Watson head to Cleveland, leaving Denver and signing a new four-year, $88 million contract with a player option and trade kicker.
The Cavaliers, coming off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in which they were swept by the New York Knicks, add a 23-year-old wing coming off the best season of his career. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game last season while shooting 41% from three-point range. He also scored at least 30 points in four games, after failing to do so in his first three NBA seasons.
Cleveland, meanwhile, sends Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers and Tre Mann to the Washington Wizards, along with a 2027 second-round pick acquired from the Clippers and cash. In return, the Cavaliers receive Cam Whitmore, while also gaining additional salary flexibility under the first apron.
Washington, in turn, sends Julian Reese to the Denver Nuggets, who will waive him from his two-way contract. Mann addresses the Wizards’ need for another guard and will reunite with general manager Will Dawkins, whom he worked with during their time with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Denver receives an unprotected 2031 first-round pick from Cleveland and a 2032 second-round pick from the Sacramento Kings. The deal gives the Nuggets a tradeable first-round pick again after they entered the transaction without any available firsts.
Denver’s salary situation remains complicated, however. The Nuggets are $1.3 million over the second apron and have two roster spots open. They will also create a trade exception worth 50% of Watson’s salary, but they cannot use it to move further above the second apron because the deal is a sign-and-trade.
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