Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire Peyton Watson in Four-Team Deal, Sending Max Strus to Clippers

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Washington Wizards completed a four-team trade that sent wing forward Peyton Watson from Denver to Cleveland. Watson, a restricted free agent, will sign a four-year, $88 million contract with a player option and trade kicker. In return, the Cavaliers dispatched Max Strus to the Clippers and an unprotected 2031 first-round pick (originally Cleveland’s) plus a 2032 second-round pick (originally the Sacramento Kings) to the Nuggets. Cleveland also sent Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick acquired from the Clippers, and cash to Washington for forward Cam Whitmore. Washington received Julian Reese from Denver, who will be waived from his two-way contract.

WOIO - Cleveland NewsUsNews and World ReportESPNCavaliers land Peyton Watson on reported 4-team trade New York PostUSA TodayWEWS - News 5 - ClevelandHeavyAkron Beacon Journal

Cleveland entered the offseason after a sweep by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals and after losing the free-agency battle for LeBron James, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 24. The Cavs had moved Dennis Schröder to Charlotte for Mann, creating cap space. With a need for a defensive-oriented wing, the franchise targeted Watson, whose breakout 2025-26 season made him a coveted restricted free agent.

UsNews and World Report

• Peyton Watson (2025-26): 14.6 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.1 ast per game; 49.1 % FG, 41.1 % 3P; 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks; started 40 of 54 games.

ESPN

• Career averages: 8.7 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.3 ast; 47.9 % FG, 36.1 % 3P.

Akron Beacon Journal

• Max Strus (2025-26 with Cavs): 11.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.0 ast per game; 40.2 % from three; missed 67 games early season with a left-foot fracture, appeared in 12 regular-season games.

Akron Beacon Journal

• Contract values: Watson’s deal $88 M over four years; Strus’s expiring salary $16.6 M (Clippers note $16.7 M).

Heavy

The Cavaliers’ front office indicated that moving Strus and Schröder freed the cap room needed for Watson’s salary and to pursue a new contract for James Harden.

Heavy

• “The reigning East finalist Cavaliers have retooled their roster now, bringing in the 23-year-old wing for athleticism and scoring after a career season and trading out Strus and Dennis Schroder over the last week.” — Shams Charania

Heavy

• Salary figure for Strus: The New York Post lists Strus’s salary as $16.6 million, while The OC Register reports $16.7 million. Both agree the amount fits within the Clippers’ $17 million trade exception.

Heavy

Cleveland adds a versatile wing who can defend elite perimeter players and contribute offensively, addressing the roster gap left by James’s departure and Strus’s exit. Denver gains future draft capital while shedding Watson’s $88 million commitment, preserving flexibility under the second-apron cap. The Clippers acquire a proven three-point shooter in Strus, bolstering a roster navigating the NBA’s salary-cap compliance investigation.

New York Post

• The Cavaliers must finalize Watson’s contract and integrate him with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and the incoming James Harden.

Peyton Watson/Max Strus Trade Grades

• The Clippers will decide roster moves before training camp.

Clippers Land Max Strus, Miss Out on Peyton Watson in Five-Team Deal

• Denver will monitor the performance of the 2031 first-round pick and the 2032 second-rounder as part of its rebuilding strategy.

WOIO - Cleveland News