The Los Angeles Clippers acquired small forward Max Strus from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in a three-team trade.

The trade sends small forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets to Cleveland in exchange for a 2031 first-round pick and a 2032 second-round pick from the Sacramento Kings.

Watson was a restricted free agent with the Nuggets, and will now sign a new four-year, $88 million deal to join the Cavaliers.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Max Strus plays in Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Strus, who “Inside the NBA” broadcaster Charles Barkley called “a pretty man” during the NBA playoffs and said he wouldn’t be able to look him directly in the eye because of how attractive he was, now joins a Clippers organization that is embroiled in an investigation.

The ongoing NBA investigation into whether the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap by funneling money through team sponsors to pay superstar Kawhi Leonard is now entering its 11th month.

The Clipper agreed to trade Leonard to the Toronto Raptors on June 30 for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks.

However, the blockbuster deal remains on hold pending the completion of the NBA’s investigation into Ballmer, Leonard and the Clippers.

The Cavaliers coveted a reunion with LeBron James in the offseason, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal. By acquiring Watson, the Cavaliers remain competitive in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.

Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Denver. AP

Watson was considered one of the best players still available, and coveted by several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, as a restricted free agent, the Denver Nuggets had the ability to match any offer sheet, and in this case it seems like they’d rather trade him to Cleveland in exchange for a future first-round pick than match the Cavaliers offer.

Because of their salary-cap situation, the Cavaliers had to shed salary in order to acquire Watson. That made Strus expendable with Cleveland building around their Big Four of Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and James Harden.

The Nuggets reportedly were not interested in taking on Strus’ $16.6 million salary for the upcoming season, but the Clippers were.