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Watson (hamstring) will start Thursday's preseason game against the Celtics, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
Watson is likely to begin the regular season in a starting role, and he will get the starting nod in Cleveland's preseason opener. He'll be joined in the first unit by Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
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Cavaliers' Peyton Watson: Starting role not yet guaranteed
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Although head coach Kenny Atkinson said the starting lineup for the beginning of the 2026-27 season is not yet set, he praised Watson's (hamstring) fit in Cleveland and added that "there's a lot of room for growth in his offensive game," Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports.
Watson isn't guaranteed a spot in the starting five immediately but will have the chance to compete for it during training camp. The 24-year-old forward figures to play a sizable role for Cleveland after being acquired from the Nuggets in August in a multi-team deal. Watson was limited to just 54 regular-season appearances (40 starts) in 2025-26 due in large part to a strained hamstring, though he impressed when healthy, averaging career highs in points (14.6), rebounds (4.9), assists (2.1) and steals (0.9) while chipping in 1.1 blocks per game and shooting 41.1 percent from beyond the arc. His length and defensive versatility will be key for a Cleveland team trying to reach the Finals for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign. However, his growth on the offensive end will also be crucial to achieving that objective. Watson is one of the top candidates to join James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the starting lineup, but Atkinson isn't ready to commit to that idea just yet, as the Cavaliers have other options like Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson.
Watson (hamstring) was traded to Cleveland on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. As parts of the deal, the Clippers will receive Max Strus, and the Nuggets will receive an unprotected first-round pick in 2031 and a second-round pick in 2032.
The Nuggets extended a qualifying offer at the end of July, but the team will now move on from Watson, who averaged a career-high 14.6 points, 2.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks across 29.6 minutes in 54 regular-season games in 2026. The 23-year-old, who also agreed to a four-year, $88 million contract with Cleveland, could make an immediate impact for a team looking to compete in a loaded Eastern Conference. While it's unknown if Watson will start at the three spot, he will presumably have a prominent role regardless.
Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Nuggets make $70 million offer
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The Nuggets offered Watson (hamstring) $70 million over five seasons, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
This offer comes in well below the $25 million annually that Watson was seeking. Christian Braun previously received a five-year, $125 million deal from the Nuggets and was clearly outplayed by Watson in 2025-26, but Denver holds the leverage. Watson is a restricted free agent, and his top suitors currently don't have the cap space to sign him.
