Jalen Johnson Is Now The Guy in Atlanta - And the Hawks Are Betting Big on Him
If there was still any doubt about who the Atlanta Hawks are building around, it's gone now. With Trae Young no longer in the picture, the franchise has made its intentions clear: this is Jalen Johnson’s team. Every move from here on out - trades, signings, rotations - is going to revolve around the 23-year-old forward.
And let’s be real: it’s a bold move.
Johnson isn’t just a promising young player anymore. He’s the centerpiece.
The face of a franchise that, for the better part of the last decade, revolved around a high-usage, highlight-reel point guard. That’s not a small shift.
That’s a full-on identity change.
Now, Atlanta is betting on Johnson’s upside - and doing it in a way that’s rare in today’s NBA. He’s still early in his career, still figuring out how to be the guy night in and night out.
But the Hawks have seen enough to push all their chips in. They’re not just investing in his talent - they’re investing in his ability to lead.
A New Era, A New Focal Point
Let’s not forget: Johnson hasn’t been putting up these numbers on a contending roster. He’s been a standout on a Hawks team that’s struggled to stay relevant in the East.
That’s not a knock on him - it’s just context. He’s flashed the kind of versatility and athleticism that makes scouts drool, but he’s yet to prove he can carry a team deep into the postseason.
And now, that’s exactly what he’s being asked to do.
The Hawks, for their part, aren’t sitting still. They’re in buy mode - and fast.
After the Trae Young trade, which didn’t exactly bring back a haul to write home about, Atlanta quickly pivoted. CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert are now in the mix, both capable scorers who can space the floor and play off Johnson.
It’s a clear signal: the Hawks want to win now, and they’re building a roster that complements their new franchise cornerstone.
Still Searching for the Right Pieces
One area the Hawks are still trying to shore up? Center depth.
Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t been able to stay on the floor, and Atlanta knows it needs more stability in the frontcourt. That’s likely the next target on the trade market.
But perhaps the most glaring hole left by Young’s departure is at point guard. Right now, the Hawks are operating with a committee of wings and combo guards sharing ball-handling duties - with Johnson doing more initiating than ever before. That’s a lot to ask of a forward, no matter how versatile he is.
Tyus Jones is a name that’s been floated as a potential fit. He’s steady, efficient, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective - exactly the kind of player who could thrive next to Johnson. Whether Atlanta pulls the trigger on that or goes in another direction, the goal remains the same: build a roster that maximizes Johnson’s strengths.
A Clear Direction - Finally
For all the questions that still surround this Hawks team - and there are plenty - one thing is certain: they finally have a direction. For years, Atlanta tried to build around Trae Young’s brilliance, with mixed results.
Now, they’ve turned the page. This is Jalen Johnson’s team.
Will it work? Time will tell. But in a league where so many teams seem stuck in the middle, unsure of their next move, there’s something to be said for having a plan - and sticking to it.
The Hawks have made their choice. Now it’s on Johnson to prove they made the right one.