The Cleveland Cavaliers finally made their move of the summer. A multi-team trade that ultimately landed Peyton Watson in the Wine and Gold.
So what’s the big deal?
Watson, on paper, fills the biggest hole this roster has had throughout the decade. A 6’8″ wing with plus athleticism and legit upside on both offense and defense.
Today, we discuss three reasons why Watson can be the missing piece.
Defensive Versatility
It’s not an exaggeration to say the Cavs were the least athletic team that reached the conference finals last season. The Thunder, Spurs, and Knicks all ran laps around them in that regard. Cleveland wasn’t going to advance any further without addressing this.
Watson immediately steps in as the best athlete on the roster. His long frame and dexterity give Cleveland the versatility they need.
This will be most evident on defense, where Watson’s agility allows him to defend multiple positions and offer resistance to transition attacks. The Cavs ranked 17th in transition defense last season, according to Cleaning the Glass. Watson can bolster this aspect of their defense by being the most capable of getting back on D.
Watson’s speed also allows him to recover and track down shots from behind. He ranked in the 99th percentile as a shot blocker from the forward position last season. Downhill drives will be more difficult than ever for opponents as Watson joins an elite rim-protecting frontcourt with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland will always be vulnerable defensively with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt. But Watson gives them an option to defend the opposing team’s best player. Watson is proficient at defending the point of attack and contesting perimeter shots. This is something the Cavs needed almost more than anything.
You might be thinking to yourself: didn’t Dean Wade provide most of the same defensive skills that I just listed as positives for Watson? And you’d be correct. Wade already filled some of those gaps for Cleveland — and with him gone, Watson is simply trying to replace what is lost without Wade.
That might feel like this is all a lateral move. But there is, however, one difference that makes Watson a more viable two-way option for the Cavs. It’s the other side of the floor.
Three-Point Shooting
This is in no way meant as disrespect towards Wade (who Fear the Sword has always been fond of). But having a wing who can check all of the boxes defensively while being a real threat to shoot the ball is something that Cleveland hasn’t had.
Watson hasn’t always been considered a shooter. Even now, this skill is an x-factor for his development. But Watson made a leap last season, ranking in the 97th percentile as a corner shooter. He shot 52% from the corner, which was 11% higher than Wade in each of his last three seasons.
There are two components to this:
First, Watson gets the benefit of projected development. He’s only 23, meaning this could be the tip of the iceberg in terms of his shooting potential. There’s no guarantee that he continues to improve, or even maintains the growth he showed last year. But if he does? The Cavs have a winning lottery ticket.
More importantly, confidence is key.
One of the long-standing criticisms of Wade was his fear of shooting the ball. Everyone watching could tell that Wade wanted nothing to do with scoring the rock. His lack of confidence was undeniable. And once you build that reputation for yourself, it’s nearly impossible to erase. Opponents no longer respect you.
Watson doesn’t have that issue just yet.
His volume isn’t much higher than Wade’s — but his progress from last season is fresh in our minds. He doesn’t have a track record for being hesitant. Teams haven’t watched him suffer from record scratches like Wade.
Watson is a more willing and able shooter who made the most of his opportunities in Denver. That will cause the defense to respect him more than they did Wade.
We understand that playing next to Nikola Jokic means you’ll reap the rewards. Watson was given high-quality shots on a nightly basis. While the Cavs don’t have a singular force as powerful as Jokic — the rim pressure provided by Allen and Mobley has proven to be enough to collapse the defense. I think Watson will receive similar shots in Cleveland, as a result.
From there, all he has to do is shoot with confidence. Watson can stamp himself as a premier 3-and-D wing with one more solid season.
On-Ball Flashes
It’s one thing to be a defensive stopper. It’s another to add three-point shooting to the mix. But completing it all by being a competent on-ball creator is the type of stuff that makes you a star.
Does Watson have All-Star potential?
I want to refrain from getting too carried away. At the same time, what else is summer for if we can’t get overexcited about Cleveland’s newest additions?
Watson flashed some important skills last year. Particularly when Jokic was on the sidelines. Watson averaged 23.1 points per game on above 50% shooting as Denver leaned on his shot creation to carry them during this difficult stretch of the season.
Some highlights include his pull-up jumper from the mid-range, where Watson shot 50% during the season. He also showed some budding skills for attacking the basket, euro-stepping and spinning to quality looks at the rim. This is a work in progress, but a flash in the pan nonetheless.
Watson’s handle is encouraging. He’s a confident dribbler who looks comfortable navigating the floor. He utilizes a variety of moves from hesitations to crossovers to create space for himself.
Playing in Cleveland will push Watson to step deeper into that role. He no longer has to fit around an otherworldly offensive hub like Jokic. Instead, he’ll be asked to create more for himself as a tertiary option. It will be sink or swim. The potential rewards of that ultimatum are what make this addition so exciting.
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