NBA power rankings shift after five-team trade sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland

The NBA’s preseason power rankings were revised after a five-team trade that sent wing player Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In exchange, Denver received an unprotected 2031 first-round draft pick, while the Los Angeles Clippers added Max Strus and the Charlotte Hornets acquired Dennis Schröder.

The trade prompted analysts to adjust the standings of both clubs. Cleveland moved up one spot, now ranked 12th, as the team hopes Watson will provide additional wing defense, transition scoring and spot-up shooting. Denver slipped to 10th after parting with Watson, though the long-term value of the acquired draft pick was highlighted as a potential asset for future roster moves.

Other notable shifts included the Detroit Pistons rising to 9th, the Toronto Raptors climbing to 21st, and the Los Angeles Clippers improving to 25th after adding Strus. The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks retained the top three positions in the rankings.

Analysts noted that while both the Nuggets and Cavaliers remain strong, their large payrolls built around max-contract stars limit flexibility. Denver’s roster challenges include injuries to Aaron Gordon and concerns over contracts for Zeke Nnaji and Christian Braun. Cleveland, meanwhile, faces questions about depth after giving up Strus and Schröder, and the impact of veteran James Harden’s new three-year deal.

"Watson feels like a better fit for the Cavs on paper than he will be in reality," one analyst wrote, expressing caution about the player’s defensive impact and shooting tendencies.

"The Nuggets have a chance to build a contender around Jokic again," another commentator added, emphasizing the importance of extending the star center and leveraging the newly acquired draft pick.

The updated rankings reflect these considerations as teams prepare for the 2026-27 season.