RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Cleveland Cavaliers swung and missed on LeBron James, and now they're stuck trying to figure out how to fill that hole.
James Harden declined his $42.3 million player option with the Cavs on Wednesday, a move that was widely expected. The two sides have been working through a new multiyear deal since, with Harden reportedly willing to spread the money across three seasons to lower his annual number.
Harden's original player option had only $13.3 million guaranteed out of that $42.3 million, so opting out to sign a longer, team-friendly deal gives the Cavs more flexibility to go out and sign another big-name player.
That's reportedly why a new deal for Harden hasn't gotten done yet — the Cavs are looking to preserve flexibility to make a run at another restricted free agent, Peyton Watson.
"I think that [Harden's deal] could happen relatively soon. The question is going to be, is it a two-year deal, a three-year deal? What the structure looks like is going to determine what the money looks like. But the Cavs are still poking around with Peyton Watson, and I think that's why James has given them a lot of room to negotiate," said ESPN's Ramona Shelburne on " NBA Today."
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Watson is a restricted free agent with the Denver Nuggets, who recently moved into the second apron after matching the Oklahoma City Thunder's offer sheet for Spencer Jones. That's limited Denver's financial flexibility, opening a window for rival teams to make a move.
Watson is coming off a career year in Denver and already looks like one of the best young two-way wings in the league. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals in 29.6 minutes per game last year, while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from 3-point range.
He started 40 of 54 games and played well next to Nikola Jokic, showcasing his skill set as a versatile defender and athletic scoring wing with a strong perimeter game. Those are the same traits that just helped OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges lead the New York Knicks to an NBA championship.
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Denver has made clear it intends to match any competing offer, but given its financial constraints, doing so is becoming increasingly difficult. If another team offers a deal in the $25-30 million annual range — which is reportedly what Watson is looking for — the Nuggets may have no choice but to let him walk.
Their most recent offer was a five-year deal worth around $70 million , an annual salary of roughly $14 million — well below Watson's reported asking price.
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