Cleveland Cavaliers land Payton Watson in five-team NBA trade
A sprawling five-team NBA trade has sent guard Payton Watson and forward Kam Whitmore to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Clippers, Nuggets and Wizards also involved.
The NBA has completed a large five-team trade that adds 23-year-old guard Payton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers roster. Watson, who averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds across 54 games in his fourth league season, joined Cleveland through a sign-and-trade arrangement. As a restricted free agent, he received a four-year contract worth 88 million US dollars.
Also arriving in Cleveland is 22-year-old forward Kam Whitmore, who appeared in 21 games last season while averaging 9.2 points.
Strus heads to Los Angeles
30-year-old guard Max Strus will continue his career with the Los Angeles Clippers. Last season he played in only 12 games, dealing with health issues, while averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. The Clippers used a trade exception to absorb Strus's 16.6 million dollar contract, an exception created after trading away Jonas [John] Collins that freed up 17 million dollars of cap room.
Denver adds to its draft stockpile
The Denver Nuggets came away from the deal with additional draft assets, receiving Cleveland's 2031 first-round pick as well as the Sacramento Kings' originally-owned 2032 second-round pick. In terms of players, 23-year-old power forward Julian Reese moves to Denver after appearing in 13 games during his rookie season in Washington, averaging 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds. However, the Nuggets are expected to waive his two-way contract.
Wizards receive Mann
The Washington Wizards are also part of the deal, acquiring guard Tre Mann, who had been traded to Cleveland from the Charlotte Hornets just a week earlier in exchange for Dennis Schroder. Mann averaged 5.5 points across 53 games with the Hornets last season. In return, Washington received the Clippers' second-round pick for next summer's draft.
