NBA feels the need to go full spin zone on RFA ‘media reports’ after Peyton Watson trade

One of the big restricted free agency dominoes fell this past weekend when the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Peyton Watson via sign-and-trade in a multi-team deal. A couple of key restricted free agents remain unsigned such as Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren and LA Clippers wing Bennedict Mathurin.

Throughout the offseason, general conversation on social media and in the NBA world at large has centered around the league’s CBA and how the dreaded second apron might be having an impact on free agency, especially restricted free agency. But on Monday, the NBA released a statement via the league’s official communications account pushing back on any narratives that the CBA was potentially damaging free agency.

“Regarding recent media reports discussing the impact of CBA rules on team bids for restricted free agents: Of this year’s 12 RFA’s, two changed teams via sign-and-trade, the most since 2021,” the league wrote. “Two signed offer sheets with new teams, tied for the most since 2018; and six agreed to multi-year deals with their prior teams. It is not unusual at this point in the offseason that a couple of negotiations remain ongoing.”

In addition to Peyton Watson joining the Cavs via sign-and-trade, the other deal the NBA was referring to was Walker Kessler joining the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade as well. Quinten Post joined the Memphis Grizzlies when the Golden State Warriors declined to match his offer sheet.

As far as the two remaining players, there have been reports of several teams potentially interested in Bennedict Mathurin, while it seems unlikely that Jalen Duren leaves the Pistons.

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