Why Darryn Peterson Could Be the Perfect Fit for the Hawks’ Next Era
With the Atlanta Hawks sitting in the middle of the pack and the season just past its halfway point, the conversation around the team is starting to shift. Not just to the playoff push-but to the future. And thanks to a valuable asset in their back pocket, that future could come into focus sooner than later.
Atlanta holds the rights to the New Orleans Pelicans’ first-round pick, and with New Orleans struggling mightily at 10-34, that pick is currently tied for the best odds at landing No. 1 overall. For a Hawks team that’s been hovering around .500, this is the kind of draft capital that can change everything.
So, who could that pick turn into? Enter Darryn Peterson.
A Top Prospect with Star-Level Upside
Peterson, a 6-foot-5 wing out of Kansas, has long been viewed as one of the top prospects in this draft class. He’s a shot creator with the kind of offensive polish you don’t often see from players his age.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, “[Peterson] plays with a special degree of poise creating shots, and has been highly effective even without displaying his typical explosiveness. The game comes easily to him.”
That last point is key. Peterson hasn’t been at full strength this season, dealing with hamstring and quad issues that have limited his time on the floor. Kansas head coach Bill Self has been transparent about the approach, emphasizing that both the program and Peterson’s family are aligned in not rushing him back.
“We’re in agreement with the family that he should not play until he feels good,” Self said back in December. “He wants to be out there. He’s just not quite ready.”
Even with the limited action, Peterson’s draft stock hasn’t taken a hit. He remains a consensus top-five pick, and in many mocks, he’s still in contention for the No. 1 spot.
How He Fits in Atlanta
Now, let’s talk fit-because this isn’t just about talent, it’s about timing. The Hawks are in the early stages of what could be a post-Trae Young rebuild or retooling, depending on how things shake out. They’ve already started to re-center their identity around rising talents like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, both of whom have shown real flashes of being high-level contributors on both ends.
Adding Peterson to that mix would give Atlanta a dynamic wing who can create his own shot, play with pace, and potentially take over games offensively. He’s not just a scorer-he’s a playmaker who reads the floor well and plays with a calm that belies his age.
If the Hawks were to land Peterson and pair him with Johnson, Okongwu, and 2025 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, they’d have the foundation of a young, versatile core that could grow together. That’s the kind of lineup that gives you switchability on defense and multiple creators on offense-exactly what modern NBA teams are built around.
A Long-Term Vision
This isn’t about turning things around overnight. Atlanta’s front office, led by GM Onsi Saleh, has the luxury of patience.
With a young roster and potential cornerstone draft picks, the Hawks are in a position to build something sustainable. Peterson, with his upside and skill set, fits that vision perfectly.
He’s the kind of player you draft not just for what he is now, but for what he could become. And if the Hawks do end up with the No. 1 pick, passing on a talent like Peterson would be a tough call to justify.
Atlanta has a rare opportunity here-a chance to reset the franchise’s trajectory with a player who could be the face of the next era. If Peterson ends up in a Hawks uniform, it could mark the beginning of something special in the ATL.