The Denver Nuggets are also losing Peyton Watson this offseason. The forward is being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a sign-and-trade deal.
As reported by Shams Charania (ESPN), restricted free agent Peyton Watson will sign a four-year, $88 million contract with the Nuggets but will then be immediately traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are also sending shooter Max Strus to the L.A. Clippers to create the necessary cap space for the transaction.
In return, the Nuggets receive Cleveland’s 2031 first-round pick, a 2032 second-round pick (from Sacramento), and Julian Reese from the Washington Wizards, whom they will immediately release.
The entire deal is intertwined with the trade of Dennis Schröder to the Charlotte Hornets, making it a rare five-team trade. In addition to the Nuggets, Cavs, and Clippers, the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards are also involved.
Among others, the Wizards receive Tre Mann from Charlotte and send forward Cam Whitmore to the Cavaliers.
Nuggets Have to Let Watson Go
With Watson off the market, one of the last restricted free agents is now gone; only Jalen Duren (Pistons) and Bennedict Mathurin (Clippers) remain. Watson had his breakout season last year, averaging 14.6 points for Denver and shooting 41.1 percent from three-point range. Along with Aaron Gordon, Watson was the Nuggets’ best defender; the team will miss his athleticism.
The 23-year-old had numerous suitors in the league; the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Clippers are also said to have vied for the wing player. By letting Watson go, Denver now has only $1.3 million remaining under the second-tier salary cap and is likely to fall even below that mark over the course of the season through minor roster moves.
The Cavs, on the other hand, have parted ways with Schröder and Strus and are now expected to finalize negotiations with free agent James Harden shortly, who has yet to sign a new contract.
