NBA Scout Says Hawks Target Peyton Watson Might Be a ‘Klutch Headache’

Although the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers haven't made a trade with one another this summer, they have been linked throughout the offseason.

For one, the Cavs have been tied to Hawks unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, raising the possibility of a sign-and-trade between the two teams.

In addition, both the Cavs and Hawks have been linked to Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson with his future still unresolved.

As such, some recent comments from an NBA scout regarding the Cavs' interest in both players are also hard to ignore from a Hawks perceptive. The scout said that Watson is "nothing special" and may even be a "Klutch headache." Watson is represented by Klutch Sports Group.

“I’m up in the air on Peyton Watson for them,” the scout told Hoops Wire while speaking on the Cavs. “Nothing special. Might be a Klutch headache. He will at least shoot, which [Dean] Wade is afraid to do.”

The chatter from the scout is pretty harsh, but it does seem to support an earlier report that Watson is "at least somewhat polarizing" around the NBA.

Regardless, Watson's appeal isn't hard to see. He just had a breakout season in which he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from long range. It was a huge leap for him from his first three seasons in the league, and he won't turn 24 until next month, so there is still plenty of time for him to reach another level.

He also took full advantage of an increased role when Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic was sidelined for about a month last season. During that stretch, Watson averaged 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on 48.6 percent shooting from the field and 44.3 percent shooting from deep.

If Watson lands in the right situation, he may be able to spread his wings and bring a huge boost to a franchise.

But the Nuggets get the last say given his status as a restricted free agent, and they seemingly would like to keep him, even though they haven't been willing to meet his apparent asking price.

There is also the sign-and-trade obstacle. A sign-and-trade may be necessary in order for the wing to leave Denver, but the Nuggets are said to be asking for a big return in a scenario like that. 

The bad news doesn't stop there for anyone hoping to see Watson in Atlanta. A recent report from NBA insider Marc Stein noted that the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks are regarded as the "most credible external suitors" alongside the Cavs when it comes to Watson. The Hawks weren't mentioned.

The former first-round pick would fit Atlanta's timeline nicely and have a chance to make a big impact with the team, but right now, nobody should be banking on the Hawks landing him.