The Atlanta Hawks have emerged as one of the teams interested in acquiring restricted free agent Peyton Watson through a sign-and-trade agreement with the Denver Nuggets.
Although Denver has consistently indicated it intends to match any offer sheet Watson signs, the organization is also willing to discuss sign-and-trade scenarios if another team presents a suitable package.
According to reports, the Nuggets have established a substantial asking price for the 23-year-old forward.
Denver is reportedly seeking compensation similar to what the Los Angeles Lakers were willing to offer the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler – a package that included two unprotected first-round draft picks and two pick swaps.
That valuation has so far discouraged interested teams from moving forward.
Both the Hawks and the Los Angeles Clippers have explored the possibility of acquiring Watson, but neither franchise has been willing to meet Denver’s current demands.
The Clippers remain engaged in the situation and are reportedly prepared to offer Watson the type of long-term contract he and his agent, Rich Paul, are seeking.
The expected value of such a deal is believed to exceed $25 million per season.
The Brooklyn Nets also remain a team to watch. Brooklyn has enough salary cap space to sign Watson to an offer sheet outright, though the organization is reportedly weighing other options before committing its available cap space.
Hawks Interested In Peyton Watson https://t.co/Fy1gBOrvoJ
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 10, 2026
