Why Peyton Watson Should Be on Atlanta’s Radar This Offseason
Peyton Watson’s NBA journey has been anything but conventional-and that’s exactly what makes him one of the most intriguing free agents hitting the market this summer. The Atlanta Hawks, newly flush with cap space, should be watching closely. Because if they’re looking to add a high-upside, versatile wing to round out their young core, Watson might just be the perfect fit.
Let’s rewind for a second. Watson’s college résumé didn’t exactly scream “future NBA contributor.”
In his lone season at UCLA, he averaged just 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, shooting an inefficient 22.6% from three and 35.2% from the field overall. He looked more like a long-term project than a lottery ticket.
And yet, the Denver Nuggets saw enough in his frame, athleticism, and flashes of defensive potential to take him with the 30th overall pick in the draft.
Fast forward to today, and that bet is starting to pay off.
Watson’s first year in Denver was quiet-understandably so, given he was a rookie on a title-contending team. But even in limited minutes, there were signs.
He shot 42.9% from deep, a remarkable jump from his college numbers. His role expanded the following season, and while his box score stats didn’t explode, he held his own in a bigger role.
That kind of steady development is exactly what you want to see from a young wing.
And then came this season.
Watson has taken a major leap, averaging 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 block, and 1.0 steal per game while shooting a scorching 40.3% from three. He’s not just surviving on the floor anymore-he’s thriving.
Yes, playing next to Nikola Jokic certainly opens up the game, but Watson’s production isn’t just a byproduct of a good system. He’s defending multiple positions, knocking down shots, and making winning plays.
He’s become the kind of player who elevates a rotation, not just fills it out.
But here’s the rub: Denver can’t keep everyone.
The Nuggets are staring down a cap crunch, and they’ve got three wings-Watson, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson-who all deserve real money. There’s no realistic way to bring all three back and stay under the luxury tax. Someone’s going to be the odd man out.
Let’s look at the landscape.
Christian Braun already locked in a five-year, $125 million extension this past offseason. The Nuggets love him, and even though he’s dealt with some nagging injuries this year, they’re clearly invested in his long-term development. Trading him now, especially with his value slightly diminished, doesn’t make much sense.
Then there’s Cameron Johnson. Denver gave up a first-round pick and Michael Porter Jr. to get him-a steep price that signals a long-term commitment.
Johnson’s been solid, shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc and defending with effort, even if he hasn’t quite hit the ceiling Denver hoped for. Still, it’s hard to see the Nuggets moving on from him so quickly after that kind of investment.
That leaves Watson.
He’s the youngest of the trio, the most affordable (for now), and arguably the one with the most untapped upside. But that also makes him the most likely to be squeezed out. And that’s where Atlanta comes in.
The Hawks just opened up significant cap space by moving on from Trae Young, and they’re clearly in the middle of a retooling phase. What they need now is a glue guy-someone who can defend, hit shots, and play within a system alongside emerging stars like Jalen Johnson and whoever they land with the Pelicans’ pick this year.
Watson fits that mold to a tee. Pair him with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels, and suddenly Atlanta has one of the most versatile, switchable defensive backcourts in the league. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, but he can finish plays, stretch the floor, and bring energy on both ends.
In short: he’s the kind of player winning teams are built around-not as a centerpiece, but as the connective tissue that ties everything together.
Peyton Watson’s story is still being written. But if the Hawks are smart, they’ll make sure the next chapter is in Atlanta.