The first takeaway from Atlanta’s preseason has been pretty clear: Kingston Flemings is already playing like someone Quin Snyder trusts.
That matters for a rookie on a Hawks team that has spent the exhibition slate mixing and matching lineups while sitting at 3-1. Atlanta has not had its full group available every night, but that has created a useful runway for evaluating the depth chart.
For Flemings, the runway has been long enough to make an impression. He has started two of the Hawks’ four preseason games and logged meaningful minutes off the bench in the other two.
That alone says plenty about where he stands. Snyder has not always been quick to lean on rookies, but this preseason has told a different story. He addressed Flemings’ growth this way:
"Yeah, I think that the word process. I think is one that we felt you saw that over the course of the summer.
And I think he continues to have a feel for what's going on in the game, whether, you know, when to shoot, when to pass. Right now, you know, I thought from the last game, too, he had, you know, had a better presence on the ball and using his quickness and athleticism defensively.
And that was part of the process, you know, getting him. in situations where he could really defend and have an impact, but not foul. So we saw that tonight.
He's a young guy, and he's keep working."
Flemings has looked comfortable from the jump. He has not seemed rattled by the pace or the stage, and even with the preseason caveat, that comfort level stands out. With little obvious resistance in the battle for the backup point guard role, he has separated himself and appears set to claim rotation minutes, likely in the 15-17 range.
Zuby Ejiofor has taken a different path so far.
He entered the preseason with a chance to grab more of the backup power forward work, but most of his minutes have come as the third center behind Onyeka Okongwu and Jock Landale. Atlanta has leaned on Asa Newell for the bulk of the backup four minutes, and Newell even started last night while Ejiofor came in behind Landale at center.
That assignment put him up against Thunder center Aday Mara, and Ejiofor said the matchup gave him a real test:
" I think they utilized him a lot more as an offensive hub, you know, this time around. You know, I haven't played with each other for a little while now, so.
Yeah, he was able to make, you know, some reads, you know, at the top of the key. And, you know, we find ourselves kind of in some miscommunication early on.
But we're able to, you know, clean it up towards the end and come out with a victory."
Ejiofor also spoke about settling into the NBA game and how much there still is to absorb:
"Yeah, I think the biggest thing for me is, you know, learning. You know, it's all a process.
You know, the NBA. And it's just all new to me.
So I think I've done a decent job. I could do a little bit better.
But yeah, that's why I just rely on my teammates to teach me and tell me the ways of what to do and what not to do, and coverage, offensive sets, and stuff like that of that nature. And I think they've done a great job in making me feel comfortable and welcome here.
And yeah, it was great to just cap it off with a great night."
His preseason role has been narrower than Flemings’, but Ejiofor has still shown enough to keep himself in the conversation. If Atlanta runs into frontcourt injuries or if Landale’s defense continues to be an issue, Ejiofor could get a look. Otherwise, he could spend a good chunk of the season in College Park continuing his development.
In Other News...
Jock Landale Sees One Early Hawks Trend That Could Really Matter
Through four preseason games, the Hawks have already started to show one of the quieter benefits of October basketball: time for the younger players to get real run. Atlanta used its recent win over Oklahoma City to lean into that approach, giving those pieces extended minutes while the roster continues sorting out how it wants to play together on both ends of the floor. For a team trying to build habits early, those reps can matter just as much as the final score.
Jock Landale has been watching that process closely, and his message has centered on the same thing Atlanta keeps emphasizing internally, communication and chemistry. He said he is committed to the Hawks and pointed to the work still ahead on offensive and defensive communication, a reminder that preseason is as much about forming connections as it is about results. The trend is encouraging, but the real test will be whether it carries over once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks May Be Fixing The Weakness That Hurt Them Most
One of the clearest signs of progress for the Hawks this preseason has come on the glass. Atlanta has been active on the offensive boards in each exhibition, a welcome development for a team that knows second-chance opportunities can change the shape of an offense. Asa Newell stood out early with five offensive rebounds in the opener against Memphis, and the collective approach has been just as notable as any single performance.
Against Indiana, the Hawks showed how many different players are getting involved in the effort, with multiple contributors crashing the offensive glass and keeping possessions alive. Whether it is a point of emphasis from the coaching staff or simply a sharper edge from the roster, the early returns suggest Atlanta may be addressing one of the issues that has hurt it before, even if the real test still waits when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Preseason Is Already Raising Questions About Two Rotation Battles
The Hawks preseason has given the coaching staff a useful early look at the back end of the rotation, even with key players getting rest in recent games. Atlanta is 3-1, and the focus has shifted to which reserves can turn short audition minutes into a real role once the games start counting.
Jalen Fleming has made a case for steady backup point guard duty, while Joe Kispert has been working through a rough stretch on both offense and defense. Kobe Johnson, Jalen Wilson and RayJ Dennis have each flashed something in limited chances, and Lu Dort has only gotten into one game so far, leaving the final roster picture and the pecking order still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]