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With only 14 players under contract following the decision to part ways with Ty Wallace in mid-December, the Atlanta Hawks have intriguing roster flexibility. Just moments after the team pulled off a mild upset in toppling the Indiana Pacers on Saturday evening, word broke from Shams Charania of The Athletic that the Hawks will reportedly be using their extra roster space to take a look at 25-year-old wing Paul Watson.
The Atlanta Hawks are signing G/F Paul Watson of G League’s Raptors 905 to a 10-day contract, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 5, 2020
Watson spent four years at Fresno State from 2013 to 2017, averaging 10.1 points and shooting 36.2 percent from three at the college level. Since then, the 6’6 wing has appeared in 107 G League games for the Westchester Knicks and Raptors 905, knocking down 38.5 percent of his three-point attempts on considerable volume.
In 2019-20, Watson’s play has improved statistically, as he is averaging 18.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 12 appearances. That, coupled with 47.2 percent shooting from three-point distance, likely drew the attention of the Hawks, and that was seemingly enough to secure a 10-day contract.
For Hawks fans, Watson plays bigger than his 6-6 listing, especially on glass. Gained traction last year in Westchester, Raptors had been tracking since draft year Summer League. Leap from show-me 3 to 47% on 7+ attempts per-game has been huge for his outlook.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) January 5, 2020
It has to be noted that the Hawks cannot technically sign Watson to a 10-day deal until Jan. 5 and that pact will pay him $50,752 given his rookie status. With that date arriving just hours after the reporting broke, however, Atlanta won’t have to wait long to welcome a new face into the fold.
Stay tuned.