NBA Power Rankings updated after Peyton Watson trade with Cavs up, Nuggets down

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets walks off the court after being defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-98 in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Nikola Jokic will miss Peyton Watson, who has just left Denver.

Nikola Jokic Optimistically Reacts to Nuggets' Peyton Watson Trade  Sports Illustrated

With the Denver Nuggets electing to trade Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers to avoid the luxury tax, it raises a fascinating question that could shape the future of the NBA: Could the Los Angeles Lakers take advantage of this Nuggets turmoil to bring Nikola Jokić to Hollywood to pair with Luka Dončić? The Nugget

James Harden is back in the mix, along with the rest of the core that was swept in the East finals. But the rest of the East is improved as well.

PEYTON WATSON is heading from Denver to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade that will also have the Cavaliers sending Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers. A person familiar with the trade said on Wednesday night that Watson, a restricted free agent who spent his first four NBA seasons with the Nuggets, will sign a

Peyton Watson is heading from Denver to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade that will also have the Cavaliers sending Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers

Also, Tre Mann is on the move again and could get a real shot to contribute in Washington.

Watson is heading to Cleveland as the Nuggets' championship window closes even further

Peyton Watson to Cavs, Max Strus to Clippers in multi-team trade  ESPN