Kingston Flemings may not be the rookie drawing the loudest buzz in this class, but his path to the Rookie Of The Year conversation is better than it looks.
The newly minted Atlanta Hawks point guard turned heads during NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center, where his playmaking and decision-making stood out. That performance gave scouts plenty to talk about, and now he has a chance to make noise in a draft class that features a four-headed monster at the top.
Flemings was selected eighth-overall, but his first NBA role looks different from the usual top-10 point guard script. Instead of being handed the offense right away, he’ll come off the bench and learn behind CJ McCollum. The 34-year old gives the 19-year-old rookie a veteran presence to lean on, and the expectation is that Flemings will pick up a lot by watching a 14-year veteran up close.
That setup also comes with help around him. Atlanta has offensive options in Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort, and both NBA Champions can provide leadership as well. So while Flemings won’t be starting like most lottery picks, he won’t be asked to do everything alone.
That matters because the Hawks needed more creation from their guard room last season. They were able to get by with Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels as primary playmakers, but Atlanta is at its best when an agile playmaker is steering the offense. That’s the kind of profile that made Flemings such an appealing pick in the first place.
The bigger advantage for Flemings may be the team context. Atlanta was one of only two playoff-caliber teams to end up in the lottery, alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder, and that kind of roster strength can boost a rookie’s visibility. Wins and losses don’t directly decide Rookie Of The Year, but playing for a 50+ win team can mean more coverage and a much brighter spotlight.
If Flemings can put up something close to nine points and five assists per game, he should be able to generate plenty of highlight moments. His athleticism and scoring already give him an electric style, and if he carries over what he showed in Las Vegas, his name could hang around the award race.
That’s where the opening comes in. Caleb Wilson, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa are all leading rebuilding teams, which should help their raw numbers on paper. Flemings, meanwhile, has the chance to make his case from a winning situation.
If he keeps flashing the same way he did in Summer League, he’ll be in the mix for the 2027 Rookie Of The Year award.
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