The Cleveland Cavaliers have made Dennis Schroder and Max Strus available in trade talks as they explore ways to create the financial flexibility needed to sign restricted free agent Peyton Watson, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Cleveland is trying to add the Denver Nuggets forward despite operating with limited salary-cap flexibility after a 52-30 regular season and Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
“Finding a team to absorb such salaries at this point in the offseason, mind you, is easier said than done,” Stein reported.
Schroder, 32, is entering the second season of a three-year, $44.4 million contract, while Strus, 30, is entering the final season of a four-year, $62.3 million deal. Moving either contract would give Cleveland additional room to structure an offer for Watson, although finding a trade partner this late in the offseason remains a significant obstacle.
Schroder averaged 8.2 points and 4.3 assists in 30 games for Cleveland last season, shooting 40.1% from the field and 29.0% from three-point range. Strus appeared in only 12 games but averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 40.2% from three-point range.
The Cavaliers have strong reasons to pursue another athletic forward. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks in 54 games last season, while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range.
Denver has reportedly offered Watson a five-year contract worth approximately $70 million, while his representatives are believed to be seeking a deal closer to the five-year, $125 million extension Christian Braun received. The Nuggets may also need to make a trade if Watson returns, creating a potential path for Cleveland to pursue him through a sign-and-trade.
Cleveland’s financial position became more complicated after Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year supermax extension worth up to $273 million. Mitchell averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 70 games last season and earned All-NBA Second Team honors.
The Cavaliers also relied heavily on Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen during their deep playoff run. Mobley averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 blocks in 65 games, while Allen averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds in 56 appearances.
Cleveland reached the Eastern Conference Finals after beating Toronto in seven games and Detroit in seven, but the Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the eventual champion New York Knicks. The Knicks won the NBA championship by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1.
Watson is not Cleveland’s only desired forward target. The Cavaliers have also been linked with Jonathan Kuminga, but Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported that acquiring both players is highly unlikely because of Cleveland’s salary situation and limited trade assets.
