The Atlanta Hawks have made more moves than some teams this offseason, and there's still plenty of time left in the summer. There was no doubt the Hawks prioritized bringing back their free agents, as they re-signed CJ McCollum and Jock Landale, two players who were key to their second-half surge last season.
They also made two trades, acquiring Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Devin Carter from the Sacramento Kings. Both players will provide the depth the team needs, and could play a key role for them next season.
Some would say that the moves for the Hawks haven't been huge, but they're just trying to build continuity with the core they have, while also staying financially flexible. They were recently rumored to have interest in Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets, and if anybody is looking for them to make a big acquisition, it would be this move.
Peyton Watson would instantly help the Hawks
Watson would be a 3-and-D wing the Hawks would welcome with open arms, and he may even be inserted into the starting lineup for what he provides. In 54 games last season, Watson averaged 14.6 points per game and shot 41% from the 3-point line, while also guarding some of the best players on the opposing team.
The Nuggets know it's going to cost a lot to extend him, which is why they haven't done so. That has led teams such as the Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers to show interest in him, but since he's a restricted free agent, the Nuggets could either do a sign-and-trade to move him, or match any offer that's given to him.
For the Hawks, it would most likely have to be a trade to acquire him, and it would come down to whether they're willing to give up what the Nuggets want. It's going to be a hefty price, and they probably know that.
Adding a wing like Watson could take the Hawks to another level, and he'll grow with the young core that already consists of Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Eastern Conference is only getting stronger, and the Hawks need to do whatever they can to stay in the conversation of the top teams after finishing as the sixth seed last season.
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