New NBA Trade Rumors on Peyton Watson, Bennedict Mathurin amid Cavs, Bulls, Mavs, and More Buzz

Restricted free agents Peyton Watson and Bennedict Mathurin are reportedly both generating sign-and-trade interest from multiple teams.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Denver Nuggets have been approached by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers regarding a potential sign-and-trade for Watson.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Bucks have indicated to the Clippers that they have interest in a sign-and-trade involving Mathurin, per Scotto.

NBA insider Marc Stein also reported that the Pelicans and Bulls "remain engaged suitors" for Mathurin, noting a source told him the Mavericks have "not expressed interest at a serious level.

The 23-year-old Watson is coming off a career year in Denver, as he averaged personal bests across the board with 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 three-pointers made and 1.1 blocks per game. He also shot 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Denver was placed in a difficult financial position last week when the Oklahoma City Thunder signed RFA Spencer Jones to an offer sheet. The Nuggets matched the two-year, $12 million deal, but the move increased their cap penalty from $36 million to $68 million, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Cavs are reportedly newly in the mix for Watson after falling short in their pursuit of LeBron James. In a potential sign-and-trade, Cleveland could offer the expiring contracts of Max Strus or Dennis Schröder, per Scotto.

While the Nuggets would like to retain Watson, Scotto reported that they are asking for at least a first-round pick and "one notable player" in a potential trade.

However, none of the interested teams are believed to have offered Denver a first-round pick yet.

Of the teams known to have interest in Watson, Scotto noted that the Hawks and Clippers have had talks that are "more exploratory than substantive to this point."

As for Mathurin, 24, he is coming off a 2025-26 season in which he was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Clippers.

Despite the midseason move, Mathurin had the most productive season of his career in 2025-26, averaging a career-high 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 three-pointers made per game, while shooting 43.0 percent from the field and 31.5 percent from long range.

Like the Nuggets with Watson, the Clippers are interested in re-signing Mathurin, according to Scotto.

The Pelicans and Bulls have both been in on Mathurin for quite some time, as Scotto reported that each team attempted to acquire him prior to the trade deadline last season.

Outside of a sign-and-trade, the Pels can offer Mathurin the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception available at $15.04 million, while the Bulls can only offer a $9.37 million mid-level exception, meaning Chicago likely needs a sign-and-trade in order to make it happen.

Scotto added that members of the Bulls coaching staff, led by new head coach Tiago Splitter, are "said to be fond of Mathurin."

Milwaukee is well-equipped to make a run at Mathurin or Watson with a full non-taxpayer mid-level exception worth $15.04 million and a $25.46 million traded player exception, while the Mavs would likely have to trade or buy out Klay Thompson in order to make room for Mathurin, per Scotto.