The Cavaliers orchestrated a complicated five-team sign-and-trade on Thursday, parting ways with Dennis Schröder, Max Strus, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2032 second-round pick in order to sign restricted free agent Peyton Watson to a four-year, $88MM contract.

Cleveland also landed Cam Whitmore and the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate in that deal, though it remains to be seen whether either player is in the team’s long-term plans.

It’s clear the Cavs were looking to upgrade on the wing and they believe Watson’s athleticism and versatility will give them “more flexibility on both ends of the floor,” as president of basketball operations Koby Altman put it.

Still, other teams in the East improved this offseason as well, and Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports isn’t sure whether Watson’s addition will be enough for Cleveland to stay near the top of the conference, particularly in the playoffs. The former 30th overall pick will undoubtedly be asked to take on challenging perimeter defensive assignments, but how much Watson actually improves the roster “remains to be seen.”

Here’s more from around the East:

• In a subscriber-only story for The Detroit Free Press, Omari Sankofa II lists three lineups the new-look Pistons might explore in 2026/27, including a shooting-heavy group featuring Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Joe, Duncan Robinson, Taurean Prince and John Collins. Sankofa expects veteran forward Collins slide in as the fifth starter alongside Cunningham, Robinson, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, assuming Duren eventually re-signs with Detroit.
• Klay Thompson is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Heat sometime after he clears waivers. One reason the 36-year-old may have been focused on landing in Miami is because he’ll likely be the starting shooting guard, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscription required). However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be part of closing lineups, as Winderman expects head coach Erik Spoelstra to utilize Pelle Larsson when the team wants its strongest defenders on the court.
• The Hornets recently released a behind-the-scenes video (YouTube link) that takes a look at the team’s decision to draft Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr. and trade longtime starters LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.