Peyton Watson ☆ Follow

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Starts 2 of 2 games · 4th on CLE in minutes · Core role

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Every situation, with four seasons of history →

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 2 points · 9 h ago
  • Danny Cunningham: Peyton Watson replaced Dean Wade. He has struggled on offense at times in what the host calls a different role, but has impressed on defense. at 15:08
  • Danny Cunningham: The host credits Watson's rim protection for the low opponent percentage at the rim. He says the starting five has three rim protectors, implying Watson starts with Mobley and Allen, though starters are not named explicitly. Watson plus either big gives two rim protectors. at 20:58

  “Three Things That Have Stood Out In the First Week for the Cleveland Cavaliers” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Analysis · 34 h ago around the league

  Trevon Brazile had 17 points off the bench, plus 9 rebounds, a steal and 2 blocks, with energy on both ends. Andy says Brazile's contributions resemble what Denver lost in Peyton Watson.

  “Are the Miami Heat Already in PANIC Mode After NIGHTMARE Start? Golden State Warriors LOOK Helpless” at 31:47 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Nuggets host · Analysis · 37 h ago around the league

  The host says Peyton Watson left in the offseason and Denver got a first-round pick for him. Through two games, he argues, the Nuggets are not missing Watson, given Brazile's play Trevon Brazile and Watson's salary.

  “NUGGETS POSTCAST: Denver Rallies from 20+ Down for EPIC Comeback vs. Pelicans!” at 11:13 · listen ↗

  also reported by Hardwood Knocks host

• Podcast Get Up host · Report · Oct 23 around the league

  Joel Embiid fell after a play when Peyton Watson landed on his knee, and LeBron James helped pull him up. No injury status or follow-up was given.

  “Hour 2: Caleb Unstoppable, Bonjour Steelers Nation, The Revenge Run” at 19:45 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 23 around the league

  Host says Cleveland's offense gets predictable: opponents trap Harden and Mitchell and force Mobley, Jarrett Allen or Peyton Watson to make decisions. Making Watson and Mobley better on offense is called the swing question of the season.

  “The Thunder Are Inevitable + Philly Trusts the Process” at 13:53 · listen ↗

  also reported by Locked On Cavs host

• Podcast Frank Madden (reported), via Locked On Bucks · Rumor · Oct 21 around the league

  Frank speculates the Bucks probably wanted to acquire Peyton Watson because they need wing size and athleticism. He says players like Watson or Jaden McDaniels are not coming anytime soon.

  “Bucks Young Core Shows Potential, But Bucks Drop Season Opener With Late-Game Struggles” at 30:32 · listen ↗

  also reported by Locked On Cavs host

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 2 points · 35 h ago
  • Danny Cunningham: The Cavs played 10 players. Everyone except Jarrett Allen had at least one assist, and seven had three or more. Mobley, Watson and Mitchell had four assists each. at 17:44
  • Danny Cunningham: Brooklyn shot 10 of 34 at the rim. The host credits Jarrett Allen, Mobley and Peyton Watson's defense. at 20:07

  “Cleveland Cavaliers Earn First Win While Surviving Scare Against Brooklyn Nets” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 4 points · 38 h ago
  • Harden ran pick-and-rolls with Jaylon Tyson, using him as a decision maker in the short roll. Peyton Watson was used the same way once. at 6:20
  • Tim said Peyton Watson did not have a great game but had nice moments: he hit his first three early and made some good defensive plays. He fouled out on an illegal screen at the end, and Tim said he is still getting comfortable. at 15:59
  • Tim said Watson joined the team about six weeks ago and will probably take a while to get comfortable. at 16:17
  • Chaz said Mario Hezonja cuts when the offense stagnates. He scored an easy layup on a backdoor cut, which she believed Peyton Watson assisted. She also said he brings defensive physicality against Julius Randle and can hit the three. at 17:07

  “CAVS POSTCAST: Cleveland Cavaliers Blow Lead but SURVIVE as Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen Deliver” · listen ↗

• Podcast Get Up · 2 points · Oct 23
  • Win man (heard): Nick Nurse is using Embiid on defense in new ways. He guarded Josh Hart in the opener, and during this comeback he guarded Peyton Watson, playing the power forward while LeBron took the center. at 20:56
  • Win man (heard): Cleveland's perimeter trio of James Harden, Peyton Watson and Mitchell combined for 16 turnovers, and the Cavs had no transition baskets in the second half. at 22:24

  “Hour 1: Bear-Y Impressive, 29-Point U-Turn, Brown Trouble” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 23
  • Peyton Watson played badly in the loss; Hayes cited 2-of-7 shooting and eight points. at 7:06
  • Peyton Watson was a bench role player on a championship team in Denver. He is now a Cavs starter making about $20 million+, and the hosts said that raises the standard for him. at 7:17

  “The Cavaliers Need Help | James Dolan Is The WORST” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Nuggets host · Analysis · Oct 23 around the league

  The host says Peyton Watson is no longer on the team. He mentions this as context for why Brazile's rebounding matters.

  “NUGGETS POSTCAST: Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray Struggle as Nuggets Fall vs Thunder” at 18:36 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 23
  • The Cavaliers moved on from Max Strus and Dean Wade and brought in Peyton Watson. The host noted that Harden arrived in the middle of last year 'or whatever'. at 17:24
  • A host or guest, likely David Ramil, said Watson is still figuring things out with the Cavs and was never going to be the solution. at 18:33

  “GAME NIGHT: How the Philadelphia 76ers Won Their Fans Over in a 29-Point Comeback” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 6 points · Oct 23
  • Second-half Sixers adjustment: Joel Embiid was switched onto Peyton Watson. The host doesn't think the Cavs were ready for it. at 15:27
  • Peyton Watson is the new player in Cleveland's starting five. at 15:31
  • Watson's offensive line: 8 points, 2 of 7 shooting, 0 of 3 from three, 5 turnovers. at 15:37
  • Host's view: with Embiid on Watson, LeBron James or Jalen Brown had to guard Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley. The Cavs missed a chance to make the bigs more of a focal point, rather than only attacking Embiid with Watson. at 16:30
  • Watson's defense: he fought over a screen to block a three from Simons (host not sure who shot it) and had rim contests. The host calls him the real deal defensively, a wing the Cavs haven't had in a long time. at 26:56
  • Defensive counting stats: two steals each for Watson, Mitchell and Mario Hezonja. One steal each for Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Porter and Harden. Seven team blocks, two of them by Tyson. The Sixers had nine offensive rebounds. at 28:28

  “Cleveland Cavaliers Collapse On Opening Night in Philadelphia Against LeBron James and the Sixers” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 6 points · Oct 22
  • Peyton Watson made his Cavs debut. A host (inferred to be Tim Daniel) says he signed with the team about seven weeks ago and is still learning a new offense. at 14:52
  • A host (inferred to be Tim Daniel) says Watson played pretty well defensively for the most part, until Jaylen Brown got rolling with Watson as the defender. The host predicts Watson will get better as the season goes on. at 15:07
  • A host (inferred to be Chassie Melvin) says Sam Merrill was on Brown while Watson sat. Watson then had to come back and guard Brown once he was hot. at 15:37
  • A host says Watson was phenomenal defensively in the first half and had Tyrese Maxey 'in a chokehold'. The host says these stops helped build the lead. at 15:42
  • A host says Watson was at times an offensive liability because his three wasn't falling, and says the same of Tyson. The host thinks both can get to the basket and that the Cavs settled for threes. at 16:05
  • Atkinson subbed Watson out and he sat for a long stretch of the third quarter. A host's view is that Atkinson's patience is thin when he sees a player as an offensive liability. at 17:01

  “CAVS POSTCAST: Kenny Atkinson BLAMED; Cleveland Cavaliers BLOW Massive Lead to LeBron James & 76ers” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 22
  • The Cavs play the 76ers tonight. It will be the first look at the Cavs roster with Peyton Watson and their first season-opener with James Harden. at 29:09
  • A host is very high on the defensive combination of Mobley and Peyton Watson ('at the three for whatever') and thinks their length could cause Philadelphia problems. at 29:18

  “Timberwolves SCARY Backcourt & Warriors Disastrous Start” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Relayed report · Oct 21 around the league

  Peyton Watson is mentioned as now with the Cavs alongside Jarrett Allen. He was injured in Denver last year.

  “2026-27 NBA Awards Predictions AND Wild Card Picks” at 23:17 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 5 points · Oct 21
  • Danny Cunningham: The host says Peyton Watson is coming over from Denver's different system, where Nikola Jokic was the main offensive hub. at 8:31
  • Synergy (reported): Synergy, as cited by the host: last season in Denver, Watson was in the 41st percentile in points per possession off handoffs and the 47th percentile in volume. at 8:47
  • Danny Cunningham (reported): The host wonders whether coming off screens could be a bigger part of Watson's role in Cleveland than it was in Denver, and thinks it could be. at 9:18
  • Danny Cunningham: The host thinks Nae'Qwan Tomlin is the last wing on a standard contract. In his order the wings are Watson, Jaylon Tyson, Mario Hezonja, then Tomlin. at 15:58
  • Danny Cunningham: The host thinks the top eight is set. His five starters are Mitchell, Harden, Watson, Mobley and Jarrett Allen. at 16:47

  “Injury Updates on Sam Merrill and Nae'Qwan Tomlin, the Expected Opening Night Rotation and Tom Thibodeau's Vis” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Mismatch host · Analysis · Oct 20 around the league

  The Cavs brought their players back and added Peyton Watson. A host has them as the East's No. 1 seed.

  “Gearing Up for the Best Regular Season Ever” at 44:39 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 3 points · Oct 20
  • The host is very confident Peyton Watson will start at small forward on Thursday night. at 16:02
  • The host says Jaylon Tyson was okay but not bad defensively last year and can be better. He thinks Watson's arrival may mean less is asked of Tyson. at 21:15
  • Roster changes mentioned by the host: Darius Garland is no longer on the Cavs and James Harden is. LeBron James went elsewhere and is now with Philadelphia. The Cavs acquired Peyton Watson. at 5:39

  “Breaking Down the Most Important Early Season Storylines for the Cleveland Cavaliers” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  Stiles says he liked 'the Peyton Watson deal'; he says this while discussing Cleveland, and no details are given. Separately, Davis says Denver losing Peyton Watson will be big for the Nuggets.

  “BUY OR SELL NBA PREVIEW | Is the East WIDE OPEN | Who Can ACTUALLY Win the West?” at 5:20 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  Hayes cites Cleveland's addition of Peyton Watson. He expects Watson and Evan Mobley to cover for the defensive lapses of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

  “Ranking ALL 30 NBA Teams! Our Official 2026-27 Tier List” at 52:14 · listen ↗

  also reported by Locked On Cavs host

• X Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) · Report · Oct 19

  It’s clear why #Cavs acquired Peyton Watson. They needed someone with his two-way skillset — Length, athleticism, versatility, shooting, defensive chops. But they also needed his ruthless mentality. “Got out there and try to kill. Take no prisoners.”

  original post ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  A host thinks Cam Johnson's on-ball ability will make up for the loss of Peyton Watson. The host also thinks Johnson steps more into the third-creator role, next to Aaron Gordon's importance.

  “Big Preseason Changes + Why Sandro Mamukelashvili signed with the Lakers” at 6:40 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 5 points · Oct 19
  • In Saturday's scrimmage, Peyton Watson was on the same team as Evan Mobley and James Harden. Host thinks this may hint at the lineups Kenny Atkinson wants. at 22:14
  • Host says Harden, Mitchell and Watson are not currently trade-eligible. Mobley will not be traded, and the team is definitely not trading Watson anyway. at 28:07
  • Host states Peyton Watson will start every night and expects his role to be bigger than it was in Denver. at 29:54
  • Host predicts Watson will get Most Improved Player votes, with a big offensive step forward, but will not win the award. at 29:43
  • Host says Jaylon Tyson will not start, because Watson is the starter, and predicts he gets Sixth Man votes but does not win. at 30:32

  “Making Predictions for the 2026-27 Cleveland Cavaliers” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Hawks host · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  The hosts say Peyton Watson was Cleveland's big addition, and that they lost Dean Wade, Max Strus, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis and Larry Nance Jr.

  “Central Division preview and over/unders (with Robby Kalland)” at 14:51 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · 6 points · Oct 17
  • Danny Cunningham: In the scrimmage, the gold team's starting lineup included James Harden, Evan Mobley and Peyton Watson. Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen were both on the wine team. at 3:32
  • Danny Cunningham: Peyton Watson stood out at both ends. The host estimates he scored around 20 points on four or five threes and would have been the second-leading scorer behind Mobley. at 13:03
  • Danny Cunningham: The gold team's defense was much better than the wine team's, and the host thought Watson was a big part of that. at 13:10
  • Danny Cunningham: The host thinks Watson can be special as a help defender at the rim, something the Cavs have not had from a wing. He argues this could free Mobley for his free-safety role, while Watson takes the opponent's best or second-best player. at 13:41
  • Evan Mobley (quoted): After the scrimmage, someone else (not the host) asked Mobley about Watson. Per the host, Mobley said Watson is always making big plays and that when Mobley thinks he needs to be somewhere defensively, Watson is already there. at 15:38
  • Kenny Atkinson (quoted): The host asked Kenny Atkinson about Watson's rim defense. Per the host, Atkinson said the team already has two great rim protectors, but now it gets a wing rim protector. at 15:41

  “Evan Mobley and Peyton Watson Stand Out During Cleveland Cavaliers Wine & Gold Scrimmage” · listen ↗

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