Recently, the Cleveland Cavs made a splash by trading for Denver Nuggets wing Peyton Watson and signing him to a lucrative new contract. The Cavs are hoping the move gives them the answer at the small forward position they’ve been searching for throughout the Donovan Mitchell era in Cleveland.
Now, more information is coming to light from Bennett Durando of The Denver Post about how the Cavs got to the forefront of the Nuggets’ Watson trade talks.
“They were the last team to get involved, a surprise late entry to the Watson sweepstakes. In the end, they were also the only team to offer Denver an unprotected first-round pick — a coveted asset with high-lottery potential, if Cleveland’s championship window is closed five years from now,” reported Durando.
Indeed, the Cavs’ first-round pick in 2031 could be highly valuable, depending on where the organization is at that point in time, and it’s also another trade chip that the Nuggets now have at their disposal if their goal is to surround Nikola Jokic with more win-now players.
However, Cleveland is clearly all-in on trying to win a championship with this group, led by Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and now Watson, who is looking to prove that the hot streak he got on in Jokic’s injury absence last year was a sign of things to come and not just a blip on the radar.
In theory, Watson can plug many of the holes on Cleveland’s roster, including a lack of athleticism and defense on the perimeter, both of which were also shortcomings for Denver.
While it may take some time to develop some chemistry with his new teammates, the Cavs are clearly excited about bringing in one of the league’s more talented young wings.