Peyton Watson

Peyton Watson says his cutting has to change with the Cavaliers. In Denver he cut off double-teams on Nikola Jokic's post-ups, an engine he called "probably the most talented of all time." Now, "the cuts are more opportunistic. So I've got to find ways to get in there."

Peyton Watson started next to Jarrett Allen in a game for the first time. "It felt good," Allen said at Cleveland's practice. "I felt like he adjusted very well." He said Watson's defensive switching, 3-point shooting and athleticism will be huge for the starters.

Mario Hezonja gives the Cavaliers a bigger, rim-attacking option off the bench, Sam Merrill said, naming him a camp standout with Peyton Watson and rookie Meleek Thomas. "Having a bigger guy that can do that should be a nice change-up for us."

Cavaliers 4/4 Peyton Watson said he didn't choose Cleveland: as a restricted free agent, it was Denver's call to trade or keep him. He says he's fully committed. Kenny Atkinson cited 16 back-to-backs and what he believes is the league's second-hardest schedule.

Cavaliers 1/4 Kenny Atkinson said the Cavaliers have no plan to hold James Harden under 30 minutes a game: "He's such a durable athlete and he knows how to manage his body so well." Atkinson wants Jaylon Tyson and Peyton Watson guarding opponents' best players.

Cavaliers 3/4 Atkinson said Mario Hezonja is no longer just a shooting power forward: "at 250, 255 pounds, he can do much more damage in the paint." Peyton Watson sees his Cleveland role as "the anchor of our defense." Atkinson is still sorting out the bench mix.

Cavaliers 2/4 Atkinson wants more Cleveland playmakers beyond James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, urging Jaylon Tyson and Peyton Watson to be more aggressive. He also won't force-feed Evan Mobley isolations as early last season; Mobley does best in the system's flow.

Cavaliers 1/2 Evan Mobley said Cleveland is changing some defensive roles and how it defends with Peyton Watson on the floor, though his own job is "pretty much similar to last year." The stated goal: a top-five defense, with rebounding and physicality the areas to raise.

Cavaliers practice: Kenny Atkinson loves playing his two bigs together, calling them among his "top 4 best players," but says they can only share the floor for so long. Hence more one-big lineups, with Peyton Watson at power forward and Mario Hezonja at either forward spot.

Sam Merrill at Cavaliers practice: Peyton Watson on the wing with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is "a lot of length and something we haven't totally had," which may let Cleveland pressure less yet still force turnovers. He also backed more playmaking from Allen and Mobley.