The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired swingman Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets as part of a multi-team trade that also sends sharpshooter Max Strus from Cleveland to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources told ESPN.

The Cavaliers will send an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2032 second-rounder from the Sacramento Kings that they owned. Both draft picks will go to Denver while Strus heads to the Clippers.

As part of the agreed-to deal, Cleveland will sign Watson to a four-year, $88 million contract that includes a player option and trade kicker.

The 23-year-old Watson is coming off a breakout season with the Nuggets. He averaged a career-best 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 29.6 minutes. During his four-year career, the 6-foot-8 Watson is averaging 8.7 points on 47.9 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range to go with 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

Cleveland has revamped its roster since coming off an Eastern Conference finals appearance where it was swept by eventual NBA champion New York. 

The Clippers are sending a 2027 second-round pick acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in the Johni Broome trade to Cleveland to acquire an established player in Strus via a trade exception.

Also part of the deal is the Cavaliers sending Tre Mann, the 2027 second-rounder from the Clippers and cash to the Washington Wizards for Cam Whitmore, sources said.

BREAKING: Cleveland, Denver and the Clippers have agreed on a trade sending Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers, Max Strus to LA, and an unprotected 2031 Cavs first-round pick and a 2032 Kings second-rounder to the Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.

Watson will sign a new four-year, $88… pic.twitter.com/hXqL3JvsU4

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 19, 2026