Central questions

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Did you just ruin it all or save everything?

We wouldn't trust Peyton Watson to dribble from half-court to hash-mark, but he is a live body, an actual rotation player to toss out for 30-odd minutes. Can't shoot, can't defend unless he handchecks, we've heard the concerns and consumed the hyperbole but do not mind because Watson comes in at $22 million a year, fifth on the Cavs.

Never trying with Keon Ellis, that hurt. Dumping Dennis Schröder leaves a dent and the premium is too high to fix it. Losing Max Strus along the way, painful. Watson (24 in September) is no guarantee to remain healthier than the 30-year old Strus next season, but Strus (at over $16 million this season) requires a new contract after 2026-27, and the Cavs were able to address that potential deficit while acquiring an actual, helping, person to play basketball for them.

Shallow victory, for sure, but it ain't easy running a basketball team with four players making nearly all of the NBA's $164 million salary cap. Reaping season, for every NBA team with a history of packing three or four first-rounders for one player.

What crushes is the ongoing commitment to James Harden, who will play but with increasingly flat returns. The Cavs took what we were assured was a calculated risk in dealing Darius Garland's recovery year(s) for the right-now stylings of 36-year old Harden. Garland turns 27 midseason, Harden may not finish his three-year, fully guaranteed, $97 million contract. Was it supposed to entice LeBron James? It was meant to intrigue somebody, correct? Please, tell us something fell through.

There's still a championship contender here, the East allows for it. Potential to trade out of that two-big lineup, and/or the ability to surprise the weary holdovers with effervescent performances from Peyton (recruited by the team's stars), Mario Hezonja.

DETROIT PISTONS

Are we endangering something with Jalen Duren?