3 Teams in ‘Active Trade Talks’ With Nuggets For Peyton Watson

Just this past week, the Cleveland Cavaliers were thought to be the frontrunners to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Denver Nuggets for restricted free agent Peyton Watson. But according to the newest report, there are two other teams that are also in "active trade talks" to try to land the exciting young 3-and-D wing. 

REPORT: Denver Nuggets are in ‘active trade talks’ with the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, & Milwaukee Bucks on a Peyton Watson sign-&-trade, according to the New York Times.

Watson, 23, averaged 14.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, & 1.1 BPG on 49 FG% & 41 3P% in 29.6 MPG for Denver… pic.twitter.com/ciaSTgD6AW

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) August 17, 2026

The report says that the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks are also in strong pursuit of Watson. 

The 23-year-old former first-round pick had a breakout season for the Nuggets, exploding from 8 points per game the previous year to 14.6 ppg, while shooting the lights out with a career-best 41.1% from beyond the arc. He also recorded a career-high 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while displaying tremendous athleticism and an impactful perimeter defense. 

Cleveland Cavaliers

For the Cavaliers, they were seen as being in the driver's seat for Watson after trading away Dennis Schroder this past week, getting themselves one step closer to having the proper finances in order. They still need to make one more move, though, to have enough room under the first apron to sign-and-trade for Watson while also re-signing their own free agent James Harden.  

LA Clippers

This could certainly make some sense, as the Clips have their own unsigned RFA to deal with as well, in Bennedict Mathurin. Teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls have explored pathways to land Mathurin. If that were to come to fruition, the Clippers would be aggressive to fill his spot with Watson. 

Milwaukee Bucks

After trading away Giannis Antetokounmpo, accumulating young promising assets should be the Bucks' No. 1 priority. Watson makes a ton of sense as a frontcourt building block for the Bucks' new era. It was only a week ago that insider Brett Siegel pinpointed Milwaukee as the frontrunner to land the highly-sought-after talent.

All eyes are still on Milwaukee in the Peyton Watson sweepstakes.

“Milwaukee is the team many around the league have pointed to as the most likely to land Watson in a sign-and-trade.” — @BrettSiegelNBA

(via @ClutchPoints) pic.twitter.com/vRxrHL3Q45

— SleeperBucks (@SleeperBucksNBA) August 7, 2026

It sounds like the Peyton Watson drama could soon be over in Denver.