The Atlanta Hawks have made it perfectly clear over the past 24 or so months that they intend to find a long-term solution at small forward. They drafted Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, traded for Jonathan Kuminga, and are now eyeing Peyton Watson in free agency.
Their interest in Watson sends the clearest message yet, as it's become painfully clear why they acquired Kuminga and what they want him to be: A true two-way player.
Kuminga endured a rough first four-and-a-half seasons in the NBA. He was drafted in the top 10, but was all but instantly asked to play a role that didn't suit his skill set. Those requests never ceased, Kuminga struggled to develop the necessary skills for it, and he ultimately signed his qualifying offer rather than an extension or a multi-year deal.
That ultimately worked in Atlanta's favor, as they were able to trade for Kuminga without giving up a single draft pick.
The highs and lows of the Kuminga experience, however, are why the Hawks are currently fielding sign-and-trade offers for him. He proved enough to feature in fourth quarters during the playoffs, but seemingly lacked the consistency as a shooter or defender to truly cement his status as a long-term fit.
If nothing else, Atlanta's pivot to pursuing Watson has revealed what the Hawks hoped Kuminga would be and what they're prioritizing in a future small forward.
Hawks are seemingly prioritizing 3-and-D shot creators
Atlanta has an all but perfectly balanced starting lineup. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a sharpshooter and high-volume scorer, Dyson Daniels is an elite defender and high-level playmaker, Jalen Johnson is an All-NBA forward with an all-around game, and Onyeka Okongwu is the prototypical 3-and-D big.
CJ McCollum could help fill the starting lineup out after re-signing with the team on the heels of an excellent postseason, but the Hawks made it clear during the playoffs that they value size.
Kuminga consistently featured into Atlanta's fourth-quarter lineups, with Daniels typically making way for him. That not only highlighted the emphasis that the Hawks are placing on finding balanced value at forward, but a clear desire to be able to space the floor.
Kuminga unfortunately struggles as a three-point shooter, but his ability to convert more efficiently than Daniels while providing size on defense seemed to win out.
That's where the Watson interest comes in. Watson is a 6'8" wing who shot 41.1 percent from beyond the arc and ranked in the 97th percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 92nd percentile in off-ball chaser defense, per Basketball Index, in 2025-26.
Watson is clearly a dream target with that level of shooting and defense, but the Hawks have seemingly revealed what it is they need from the missing piece to their otherwise complete puzzle.
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