The Clippers’ pursuit of Peyton Watson, the Denver Nuggets’ highly coveted small forward, ended in a multi-team trade that sent the former first-round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Max Strus to the Clippers.
Watson is expected to sign a new four-year, $88 million deal with a player option and a trade kicker, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Nuggets receive an unprotected 2031 first-round pick from the Cavaliers and a 2032 second-rounder from the Sacramento Kings.
Strus’ $16.7 million salary fits the $17 million trade exception the Clippers received in the sign-and-trade that sent forward John Collins to the Detroit Pistons.
Strus, whose contract expires after next season, appeared in just 12 games last season because of a fracture in his left foot that sidelined him until March.
Known as a quality shooter and connector, the 6-foot-5 Strus averaged 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 40.2% from 3-point range in the regular season and 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 35.8% from deep during the Cavaliers’ postseason run to the Eastern Conference finals.
Strus gives the Clippers eight guards on their roster, including three-time All-Star Darius Garland, rookie Keaton Wagler, Gradey Dick, veteran Bradley Beal, Kris Dunn, Jordan Miller and Cam Christie. The Clippers are expected to move at least one of them before training camp next month.
As part of the trade, the Cavs are sending Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick from the Clippers (acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in the Johni Broome trade) and cash to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Cam Whitmore, according to ESPN. The Wizards also are sending Julian Reese to the Nuggets, who will waive him off his two-way contract.
Watson, who started 40 games last season, averaged career highs in points (14.6), rebounds (4.9), assists (2.1) and steals (0.9) while shooting 41% from 3-point range. The Long Beach Poly High and UCLA product also had four 30-point games, after having none in his first three NBA seasons.
Since entering the league in 2022-23 after one season at UCLA, Watson ranks second in field goal percentage allowed among players to contest at least 2,000 shots.