Max Strus to Clippers as Cavs land Peyton Watson in trade
Max Strus is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers after the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and Clippers agreed on a multiteam trade that also sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland, sources told ESPN. Watson signed a four-year, $88 million deal in a sign-and-trade; Denver gets an unprotected 2031 first-round pick. The overall swap became a five-team deal after Cleveland’s recent move of Dennis Schröder.
Key Takeaways
- Max Strus goes to the Clippers via a trade exception; Cleveland lands Watson on a four-year, $88 million contract with a player option and trade kicker.
- Denver receives an unprotected 2031 Cavaliers first-round pick and a 2032 Sacramento Kings second-rounder, plus two-way forward Julian Reese (whom the Nuggets plan to waive).
- Cleveland also adds Cam Whitmore from Washington, sending Tre Mann, a 2027 second-rounder and cash to the Wizards.
- Nikola Jokic said he is happy for Watson and that Denver will miss his energy and skill, adding, “it’s gonna be okay.”
What happened in the Max Strus trade?
According to ESPN, Max Strus moves from Cleveland to Los Angeles while restricted free agent Peyton Watson joins the Cavaliers. The Clippers are using a trade exception and sending Cleveland a 2027 second-round pick (acquired from Philadelphia in the Johni Broome deal).
That 2027 pick, Tre Mann and cash then go to Washington for Cam Whitmore. Schröder’s earlier swap to Charlotte for Mann ties the Hornets into the package, making it a five-team deal among the Cavaliers, Nuggets, Clippers, Hornets and Wizards.
Watson’s agents confirmed the four-year, $88 million pact. Cleveland.com reported the annual figure is about $22 million, below a reported asking range of $25 million to $28 million. For more NBA and sports buzz coverage, visit our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Why does this deal matter for the Cavs and Clippers?
Cleveland is coming off an Eastern Conference finals sweep by the New York Knicks and has been searching for a two-way wing. At 23, Watson just posted career highs of 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals while shooting 41.1% from three and starting 40 games.
Cleveland.com columnist Jimmy Watkins called the cost bold and risky, citing the unprotected 2031 first for a franchise already thin on draft capital. If Watson’s shooting holds and his defense keeps improving, Watkins said Cleveland may finally have the wing profile it has chased for years.
For the Clippers, Strus is an established shooter and versatile forward acquired without surrendering a rotation piece beyond the 2027 second-rounder routed onward. Cleveland, meanwhile, adds Whitmore’s smaller salary to create flexibility under the first apron.
How are the Nuggets handling the Peyton Watson fallout?
Denver entered the deal $1.3 million over the second apron with two roster spots open and no tradeable firsts before this move. The Nuggets create a trade exception for 50% of Watson’s salary but cannot use it to exceed the second apron because it is a sign-and-trade.
Fans and analysts criticized the front office for prioritizing financial relief over keeping a young two-way contributor. After Serbia’s friendly against France, Jokic told reporter Miroslav Cuk he was happy for Watson, that Watson deserved the deal, and that the Nuggets would miss his energy and skill—while insisting it is going to be okay.
Watson’s camp also weighed interest from Milwaukee, Portland and the Clippers before locking in Cleveland’s guaranteed $88 million offer, ESPN reported.