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NBA·TRADE·August 19, 2026 08:08 PM ET

Cavaliers acquire Peyton Watson, Clippers land Max Strus in three-team deal

Watson lands a four-year, $88 million contract.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Aug 201 min read
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BREAKING: Cleveland, Denver and the Clippers have agreed on a trade sending Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers, Max Strus to Via @ShamsCharania on X

What happened: Cleveland, Denver and the Clippers agreed to a trade sending Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers and Max Strus to LA. The Nuggets receive an unprotected 2031 Cleveland first-round pick and a 2032 Sacramento Kings second-round pick. Watson will sign a four-year, $88 million contract.

Why it matters: The Cavaliers secure Peyton Watson to add athleticism and scoring after reaching the Eastern Conference finals. The Clippers add a perimeter shooter in Strus, while Denver extracts future draft capital for the departing restricted free agent.

What to watch: Watson joins a retooled Cleveland rotation for the upcoming 2026-27 season, while the Clippers integrate Strus into their lineup.

Sources

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NBATradeCleveland CavaliersDenver NuggetsLa ClippersMax StrusPeyton Watson
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