NBA Power Rankings updated after Peyton Watson trade with Cavs up, Nuggets down
The Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers feel like mirror images of each other in opposite conferences entering the 2026-27 season. Both teams are really good, but feel a step below their biggest rivals. Both have huge payrolls built around max superstars without much flexibility to tinker with the roster formula. Both have had frustrating offseasons […]
The Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers were mirror images of each other heading into the 2026-27 NBA season. Both teams boasted strong rosters built around max superstars but lacked flexibility to make roster adjustments. The two teams exchanged Peyton Watson as part of a significant five-team trade. The Cavaliers anticipate Watson will fill the gap as their fifth starter, adding wing defense, transition scoring, and spot-up shooting.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets take a step back with the deal, but they gain a valuable long-term asset by securing Cleveland's unprotected 2031 first-rounder. The trade involved the Clippers, who brought Max Strus, while the Hornets acquired Dennis Schroder. This shake-up has impacted the league's power rankings, leading to updates that consider the trade's implications.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
