The Hawks’ season is going to ask a lot of Jalen Johnson right out of the gate.
Atlanta opens with superstar-level tests in four of its first five games, and with the Eastern Conference loaded up after a historic trade deadline, the path to the postseason in 2027 looks anything but smooth. If the Hawks are going to hold up, Johnson has to come in early and play like the centerpiece they believe he can be.
Last season made the case for just how high his ceiling is. Johnson stayed healthy for 72 games, the most he’s ever played, and turned that into an All-Star rise that put the league on notice. After the injury that ended his season the year before, that kind of availability mattered just as much as the production.
What jumped off the screen was the athleticism. Johnson is one of the league’s best transition scorers, and his burst was a major reason Atlanta finished second in fast-break points last season. He already looks like a player built to punish open floor chances and turn them into easy offense.
The next step is clear: more creation when the game slows down. Johnson has been posting videos on social media of himself working on a step-back three-pointer and a range of other moves, and that kind of outside growth could push him from 22.5 points per game into the 25-plus territory.
For Atlanta, that’s the difference between a talented lead option and a true No. 1.
At 6’9, he has the frame and skill set to keep expanding. The Hawks have a triple-double threat on their hands for years to come, and if the team can climb to the top of the Eastern Conference, Johnson has the kind of profile that could put him in the MVP conversation.
Still, there are real things he has to clean up.
Turnovers remain a problem. Johnson averaged 3.4 per game, and that number showed up in three of his six playoff games last season. If that kind of ball security issue carries into this year, it will put a ceiling on how far he can take the offense.
The fix starts with handling the league’s physicality better. Johnson is already a strong rebounder and a dependable playmaker, so once he cuts down the giveaways, the rest of his offensive game should settle in behind it.
Defense is the other piece that has to hold. As players take on more scoring responsibility, that end can slip, but Johnson has already shown he can make impact plays there too. He’s flashed emphatic blocks and steals in passing lanes, and those takeaways usually turn into one-on-one fast breaks, which is exactly where he does his best work.
With an improved roster behind him, Johnson’s best years still look ahead of him. The Hawks are banking on that wild trajectory continuing.
In Other News...
Jalen Johnson Now Faces The Biggest Test Of Atlantas Offseason
The Hawks spent the offseason leaning into youth and depth, adding through the draft, re-signing important pieces and making trades in an effort to build out a more complete roster. Along the way, the front office also showed its belief in Quin Snyder by giving him a contract extension, a sign the organization is trying to steady the program while it grows around a newer core. At the center of it all is Jalen Johnson, who is now being asked to take the next step toward becoming a leading player on a team with real ambitions.
Johnsons challenge is only part of the picture, though, because the Hawks have created the kind of roster squeeze that usually forces some uncomfortable decisions. The team has to sort out how all of the pieces fit while still keeping enough balance for the season ahead, and that means certain players are already under a brighter spotlight as camp approaches. For Atlanta, the offseason was about getting younger and deeper, but the real test is whether those moves leave enough room for everyone the team wants to keep. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Tied To Jonathan Kuminga Move That Could Swing A Contender
The summer churn around Jonathan Kuminga has narrowed to the point where the market is watching just two familiar contenders, and the ripple effect could still be felt beyond the teams directly involved. For the Hawks, the importance is less about which club lands him and more about how a possible sign-and-trade in this range can reshape the balance of power for another playoff hopeful in a conference already crowded with teams trying to retool on the fly.
Kumingas next move is expected soon, with the sign-and-trade structure adding a layer of complexity because any deal would require a longer commitment from the forward. The Lakers have been viewed as the preferred landing spot, but the Timberwolves remain in the mix, and with both teams having already made meaningful changes to their rosters this offseason, the decision could determine which contender gets the extra piece it has been chasing. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Still Have Tough Roster Decisions Ahead Of Opening Night
With opening night approaching, Atlanta is still carrying a crowded roster and the front office has some trimming to do before the season begins. The Hawks need to get down to 15 standard-contract players, which means a few names near the end of the group are going to be squeezed out as the team sorts through recent performance, contract considerations and overall fit.
A few players have emerged as the ones most likely to be moved or let go as the roster gets finalized, and that makes the last stretch of camp worth watching closely. For Atlanta, the question is not just who survives the cut, but whether the answer comes through a trade or a straight release, leaving one more layer of uncertainty before the season opener. [Read more 🡒]