Clippers Land Max Strus, Miss Out on Peyton Watson in Five-Team Deal
The Los Angeles Clippers picked up veteran wing Max Strus from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday as part of an initial three-team trade which converted into five, that also sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland and draft picks to the Denver Nuggets.
On March 30, 2025, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired veteran guard Max Strus from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a trade that also sent rookie Peyton Watson to Cleveland and involved additional draft picks being sent to the Denver Nuggets. Strus, 30 years old, joins the Clippers with a proven track record as a three-point shooter, averaging 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game during the 2024 regular season.
However, the move meant the Clippers missed out on acquiring 23-year-old Peyton Watson, a player they had been tracking throughout the offseason. Watson, who played a key role in Denver's playoff run, has since been signed by the Cavaliers. The trade also saw the Clippers gain an unprotected 2031 first-round pick from Cleveland and a 2032 Kings second-rounder.
The Clippers are countering the addition of Strus by using their $17 million trade exception from John Collins, which alleviated the need to send any players in return. The move allows the Clippers to bolster their three-point shooting without incurring any additional costs. Despite Strus' age, his shooting ability could be valuable for the young Clippers roster, which includes Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram.
Nevertheless, the team is now facing a crowded roster situation, with potential interest from other teams in restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin.
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