Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has shared a strong take on the Cleveland Cavaliers' sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson.
The Cleveland Cavaliers made a major move by agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal with the Denver Nuggets to acquire forward Peyton Watson.
The Cavs sent Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2032 second-round pick to the Nuggets in the deal. Watson also inked a four-year, $88 million extension with Cleveland and will be a key piece on their roster.
Watson is coming off a career year, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three.
He will bring athleticism, shooting, and defense to the Cavs and be their starting small forward alongside guards James Harden and Donovan Mitchell and bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect"The Nuggets picked up what a lot of people view as a great, great, great asset which is the unprotected 2031 Cavaliers 1st round pick," Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green said. "The Cavs wanna compete and usually when teams try to compete you have your window and then it goes to s***... the Nuggets was deciding between Cam Johnson and Peyton Watson... I think the sentiment in Denver could be Peyton Watson next deal is only gonna go up from here, Cam Johnson's may revert back the opposite way so you can afford to keep him longer."
This is an interesting take from Green, but it's clear that the Cavs are going all in on a title run with their core.
Cleveland needed to make a blockbuster move this offseason after they were swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks.
Other teams in the East have improved their rosters as the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Philadelphia 76ers added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, and the Toronto Raptors are potentially trading for Kawhi Leonard.
With more contenders in the East, it will be a tougher challenge for the Cavs to reach the Conference Finals.
Cleveland has a talented roster, and the acquisition of Watson helps, but they may need to add another piece or two at the deadline to make a run to the NBA Finals.
