The Cleveland Cavaliers traded for Peyton Watson in a deal that cost them Max Strus and an unprotected first-round pick.
You can see the full details of what is now a five-team trade here.
As a Pistons fan, I am supposed to look at this and say, “Oh no! The team that beat us in the playoffs last season just got better!” The thing is that I am not so sure they did.
Peyton Watson trade cost the Cavaliers depth and players who hurt the Pistons
The Cavaliers had to cut payroll to be able to make the move for Watson, who they had to extend for 4 years at $88 million, so the move actually cost them more than just Max Strus and an unprotected first-round pick (as if that wasn’t enough).
The Cavaliers also had to dump Dennis Schroder, who was their primary backup point guard last year, and he and Strus were both important for Cleveland in the playoffs, especially against the Pistons.
Peyton Watson has averaged three points per game in the limited playoff experience he does have.
The Cavaliers were obviously looking for an influx of younger talent to pair with Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell in the post-Harden years, but they did have to sacrifice important veteran depth to get him.
Watson is fresh off his “breakout” season, which has frankly been a bit overhyped, which leads me to my next question.
Are we sure Peyton Watson is good?
Watson has had one season when he averaged double-digits, last year, when he averaged over 14 per game. But he only appeared in 54 games and did most of his damage when Nikola Jokic was out.
Jokic was injured between January 2-29, which happens to coincide with Watson’s best stretch of the season. He stepped up in a bigger role, but is he going to have that role in Cleveland where he’ll be the 4th option? Nope.
And if you take those games out of his season, Watson averaged around eight points per game last year. The fact that the Nuggets didn't want to pay him even $22 million a year is also a red flag to me, as they are cheap, but they are also smart.
He barely averaged more points per game than Strus, and even though he’s much taller, Strus is actually the better rebounder. Strus is also the better 3-point shooter, as they averaged around the same percentage even though he took twice as many per game from long range.
People are putting a LOT of stock in those 13 standout games Watson had last year with Jokic out, and projecting that for him going forward, which I am not sure is realistic.
Watson is definitely bigger, more athletic, and a better defender, who is also considerably younger than Strus, so I totally understand why the Cavaliers would take this chance to improve their long-term outlook.
But they had to give up depth to do it and may have reached on an unproven player who just added to their payroll woes.
I’m not sure this move makes Cleveland better, and as a Pistons fan, I welcome the idea of not having to see Max Strus in a Cavs uniform next season.
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