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Peyton Watson isn’t the first player that the Cleveland Cavaliers have tried to use to fill this gap.
A long list of names, from Cedi Osman and Isaac Okoro — to Dean Wade and De’Andre Hunter. This team has searched for a starting-caliber wing throughout the decade. And while Max Strus fit the build better than anyone, he was perpetually playing out of position on a team that needed size and athleticism in his place.
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This is what made Watson the ideal trade target.
Trading Strus wasn’t easy. He was far and away Cleveland’s best option at small forward during this era. But Watson offers a younger, bigger, and more exciting prospect to ring the bell once and for all. If all goes to plan. Cleveland won’t have to search for another wing for a long time.
Let’s get into why that’s the case.
The Glue
The Cavs’ starting lineup features a dynamic that has led to much success.
The backcourt duo of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell makes for one of the best shot-creating backcourts in basketball. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley form an elite defensive frontcourt.
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Connecting those two duos with the perfect small forward has been the issue.
Allow me to oversimplify things:
Dean Wade was a versatile defender. His skills on that end made him a fantastic fit in the starting lineup. But Wade’s lack of offense ultimately made him a liability once the playoffs began. The bridge between the backcourt and frontcourt was flawed.
Max Strus, on the other hand, brought all of the offensive skills you’d want from the fifth starter. He just wasn’t tall or athletic enough to defend opposing wings.
Cleveland needed someone who could combine the skills of Wade and Strus. Someone who was better on offense than Wade, and more equipped to defend wings than Strus.
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This is where Watson has a chance to succeed.
Watson has a 6’8″ frame and 7’1″ wingspan. He packages that length with elite mobility, placing him in the 97th percentile as a perimeter isolation defender last season — and in the 86th percentile as a screen navigator (according to BBall Index).
On paper, Watson has all of the tools needed to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cavs-season-preview-peyton-watson-110000611.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-07 11:00:00
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