Scotto: ATL to guarantee Hield’s 2026-27 salary

Reese was added in to facilitate the Peyton Watson trade to Cleveland, though Denver had no intention to keep him around. Reese ended last season on a two-way deal with Washington and will look to find a new home for next season.

Whitmore was added in to facilitate the Peyton Watson trade, and he’ll end up as a young depth piece in Cleveland. However, there are likely too many players in front of him on the depth chart on a team that is trying to compete in the East for him to get much of an opportunity next season.

Mann was sent to Cleveland from Charlotte as part of the Dennis Schroder trade last week, but he’ll end up back in the Southeast division. Mann has shown flashes and could compete with Bub Carrington for the backup point guard job behind Trae Young, but with the compensation that was required for the Wizards to acquire him, it is unlikely they have big plans for him.

Strus will get a fresh start after three seasons in Cleveland. His defense and floor spacing should help make an immediate impact for the Clippers as they look to establish a new identity in the post-Kawhi Leonard era. Strus could start alongside Darius Garland, but his presence in a crowded backcourt will make the rotation difficult to project. Kris Dunn, Bennedict Mathurin (RFA) and Gradey Dick all stand to lose out on minutes with Strus on the squad.

The Cavs’ interest in Watson has been rumored for a while, and they were finally able to get a deal done, and it wasn’t just the trade. With the deal, Watson also agreed to a four-year, $88 million extension to stay in Cleveland for a while. Watson is coming off a breakout season and should fill in as the Cavs’ fifth starter alongside James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Watson’s role will look different than it did last season, but his versatility on both ends should fit in well in Cleveland as they look to compete in the East. Watson’s departure should officially lock in Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson and Aaron Gordon as starters in Denver, though Julian Strawther should step into extra minutes off the bench.

The former Michigan and Kansas star went undrafted in 2025 but ended up signing with New Orleans on a two-way deal after the draft. He appeared in five games as rookie; once during the season opener after Yves Missi injured his ankle, and then during the final four games of the Pelicans’ season. Now, the 25-year-old big man will look for a new team to suit up for, though he will likely spend most of his time in the G League.

Aldama underwent knee surgery in March that ended his season prematurely. He’ll won’t suit up for Spain during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers to prioritize his recovery, but he is expected to be ready for training camp in late September. Aldama was dealt to Dallas in July, so this will be a fresh start with a new team that is loaded with frontcourt talent.

Holiday may have signed to play next season in Italy, but reports indicate his contract includes an NBA out. If an NBA team is looking to add a reliable perimeter defender and ball handler during the season, they can buy out his contract with Maxima Roma and bring him over. Holiday could end up being a difference maker late this season.

Highsmith appeared in only seven games for the Suns last season, and he’ll likely be a depth option in 2026-27.

Watford played a key role off the bench for the Sixers last season, offering scoring, rebounding and assists in 16.3 minutes per game and notching his first career triple-double on November 8 against the Raptors.