The Atlanta Hawks had a clear priority when they sized up the point guard options in this year’s draft class: find someone they could trust with the ball when the game tightens up.
That’s where Kingston Flemings has already started to separate himself. Through two summer league games, he has piled up 14 assists and committed just two turnovers, a start that has given the Hawks plenty to like about his early decision-making.
Summer league doesn’t tell the whole story, of course, but it does offer a first look at how a young guard handles the job. So far, Flemings has looked like the kind of floor general Atlanta wanted - steady, controlled and careful with possessions.
That matters for a team that has already felt the downside of shaky half-court creation. In its most recent postseason run, Atlanta ran into trouble when possessions bogged down and the offense became too static in key moments. CJ McCollum could still deliver a tough mid-range bucket late, but the group as a whole didn’t have enough reliable shot creation when it needed it most.
The Hawks’ decision to move on from Trae Young is looking more justified by the day, especially after McCollum helped them win two postseason games. But the bigger issue remained: they still needed a lead guard who could organize the offense without turning it into a turnover risk.
Flemings has a chance to be that player, and possibly more. He isn’t just a ball-dominant initiator; he can also function without the ball and adjust to different roles, which makes him a cleaner fit for what Atlanta is building.
There’s also a noticeable difference in how the Hawks function when he’s on the floor versus when he’s not. The lineup impact has been obvious enough to stand out, even in the small sample of summer league.
The real test comes later, when he joins the main roster in October and works with a much stronger supporting cast. But if Flemings keeps creating quality looks for others and keeps the turnovers low, Atlanta may have found the kind of dependable lead guard it has been searching for.
In Other News...
Hawks Suddenly Hold Real Leverage In Growing Jonathan Kuminga Trade Talks
The Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes have started to get more interesting for Atlanta, even if the Hawks are not yet the obvious landing spot. The Lakers are reportedly exploring a sign-and-trade for the Warriors forward, with Dalton Knecht mentioned as part of the conversation, and Atlanta could wind up involved if the deal turns into a broader three-team framework. For a Hawks front office that has been willing to stay active around the margins, that at least creates the possibility of turning a star-chasing negotiation into something that benefits their own roster-building plans.
Nothing is close to being finalized, and the whole situation still sits in the speculative stage, but the Hawks suddenly have a seat near the center of the table. Lakers executive Rob Pelinka has already been in contact with Kumingas agent, and Los Angeles has enough contracts and draft capital to keep working different angles. If Atlanta is going to facilitate anything, it will need to make sense on its own terms, which is where the real leverage comes in. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Offseason Winners And Losers Just Sparked A Bigger Debate
Atlantas offseason has already given Onsi Saleh a pretty clear footprint, with the Hawks keeping CJ McCollum, Jock Landale and Mouhamed Gueye in place while also bringing in Aaron Wiggins and Devin Carter and adding Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar in the draft. It is the kind of roster churn that invites instant grading, especially in a market that is always trying to figure out whether the front office is building for now, for later, or a little of both.
Kris Risacher is still on the roster despite the trade chatter that swirled around him, and the new mix around him could end up mattering more than any single move. The bigger question now is whether Atlanta has actually created the kind of environment that helps him settle in and grow, or whether the Hawks are still one unresolved roster decision away from changing the whole conversation again. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks May Be Watching One Last Impact Move Slip Away
The Hawks have been linked to Trey Murphy III as they continue searching for ways to add another impact piece around their core, but the path to getting him looks increasingly narrow. New Orleans has every reason to value a versatile wing like Murphy, and Atlantas interest has run into the kind of trade market reality that usually slows these conversations before they get serious.
Murphys price tag is part of the problem, and the Pelicans front office is also operating with an eye on future assets and flexibility. If New Orleans keeps leaning in that direction, Atlanta may simply have to move on and look for a more realistic upgrade elsewhere, even if Murphy had been the type of swing worth monitoring. [Read more 🡒]