Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman commented after the team made a blockbuster, five-team trade for Peyton Watson.
The Cavaliers, who needed a starting small forward, sent first- and second-round picks to Denver as part of a five-team deal that saw Watson get sign-and-traded to Cleveland, inking a four-year, $88 million deal with the Cavaliers.
Cavaliers GM Issues Statement on Peyton Watson Trade
Now that the deal is official, Altman issued a statement on acquiring Watson from the Nuggets in the trade.
“Peyton is a young, talented player who we believe fits extremely well with the direction of our team. His length, athleticism and defensive versatility give us the ability to play him across multiple positions and create more flexibility on both ends of the floor. He has continued to grow as a player in this league, and we believe there is significant opportunity for him to take another step in Cleveland,” Altman said.
Koby Altman Thanks Max Strus & Dennis Schroder
As part of the deal to get Watson, the Cavaliers were forced to shed salary, giving up veterans Max Strus and Dennis Schroder in the five-team deal to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Charlotte Hornets, respectively.
Altman thanked both players for their contributions in Cleveland and wished them both well in their future endeavors.
“We also want to recognize and thank Max for everything he has meant to the Cavaliers. Over the past several seasons, Max became an important part of our team, our culture, and our identity. His professionalism, toughness, competitiveness, and leadership helped shape the standard we have established here, and his impact went well beyond what he did on the court. He was an important part of our continued rise and the sustainable success we have worked to build, and we are incredibly grateful for the way he represented the Cavaliers every day. Max will always be an important part of this chapter of our organization, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward,” Altman said.
“Dennis made an immediate impact after joining us at the trade deadline, bringing experience, toughness, and leadership to our group. His contributions helped us reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018, and we are grateful for everything he gave the Cavaliers during his time here. We wish him continued success moving forward.”
With Strus and Schroder gone, the Cavaliers created the necessary cap space to re-sign veteran All-Star James Harden, who is expected to get a three-year, $97 million deal from Cleveland.
With Harden back in the fold next year, Cleveland’s starting-five unit features four former All-Stars: Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, along with a potential future All-Star in Watson.
The team’s depth took a hit when they let go of Strus and Schroder in the deal, but for the Cavaliers, it was a trade that was worth it for the opportunity to pick up a young player with a ton of potential in Watson, who could explode in Cleveland.
Cavaliers GM Koby Altman Comments on Peyton Watson Trade