The Atlanta Hawks looked like a real problem for the LA Clippers in the Peyton Watson sweepstakes. Then the Hawks made their move for Luguentz Dort and Ryan Nembhard in a three-team deal with the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder, and that changed the picture fast.
Watson has been viewed as one of the top wings on the market, and Atlanta had been seriously in the mix. The fit made sense on paper: a young core, a belief that Watson could raise the level on both sides of the floor, and a setup that could help him keep climbing. But roster spots and cap space are now a concern, and that alone could knock the Hawks out of the running in a way that benefits the Clippers.
Atlanta’s depth chart only adds to the issue. The starting lineup is already close to full, especially in the frontcourt, with Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu in place. That leaves little room for Watson to land and grow into the stardom he’s expected to reach.
For the Clippers, that’s the kind of ripple effect they were hoping for. When Atlanta entered the race, it gave LA another team to worry about - and a dangerous one at that. The Hawks could have offered Watson a seasoned head coach who would run plays for him, an All-Star-level partner in Jalen Johnson, and a system built to get the most out of his game.
That kind of environment would have given Watson a strong path to the next step in his career, especially after the season he just put together for the Denver Nuggets. But if the Hawks are now effectively out after adding Dort and Nembhard, the Clippers can breathe a little easier.
Moving ahead, the Clippers’ main concern beyond the Nuggets, who hold an advantage because Watson is a restricted free agent, is the Milwaukee Bucks. They, too, are a strong fit for the 23-year-old and have what he would need to break out again in his young career.
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