The Hawks spent the offseason getting younger, and the clearest sign of that came in the draft. Atlanta landed the No. 8 pick through a strong trade with the New Orleans Pelicans and used it on Houston point guard Kingston Flemings, who was viewed as the best pure point guard in the class.
That pick matters because Atlanta has a real need at the position. Trae Young was traded in January, and while CJ McCollum has provided far more than expected since arriving from the Wizards, he is not a natural lead guard or a high-end passer.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has also helped, but he is not a traditional point guard either. Gabe Vincent, added at the trade deadline, brings a different kind of value as more of a 3-and-D guard, not a long-term answer to run the offense.
Flemings gave the Hawks reasons to be encouraged in Summer League. He showed vision, made smart decisions, and looked comfortable pushing the fast break, which fits neatly with how Atlanta wants to play. His speed, passing, and defensive effort all stood out as traits that could translate well on this roster.
There was a time not long ago when his early-season role looked uncertain. Atlanta had veteran backcourt options in Devin Carter and Ryan Nembhard, and Quin Snyder has a reputation for leaning on veterans over rookies. But the Hawks changed the picture by waiving Carter and sending Nembhard to Charlotte.
That leaves a straightforward question for preseason: how soon does Flemings get real rotation minutes?
The top three bench spots appear to be spoken for by Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Jock Landale. That group gives Atlanta quality minutes, and Wiggins does have some on-ball creation in his game, but he is not a point guard. What makes Flemings interesting is the possibility that Snyder uses him as the backup floor general when CJ McCollum or Nickeil Alexander-Walker checks out.
The ideal setup would not be tossing Flemings into a lineup with only reserve players. The Hawks need him to get reps in a real NBA environment, but with enough structure around him to let him handle the offense. The more he can do in that role now, the more useful he can become as the season develops.
His shot and his finishing at the rim will be just as important. Those were weak points during his time at Houston, and they showed up a bit in Summer League too, even with how well he played overall. If he can knock down shots and apply pressure at the basket, his path to a bigger role could open quickly.
Rookie guards usually have growing pains. Flemings may still have those. But for this Hawks team, he also looks like a strong fit, and possibly sooner than expected.
In Other News...
Hawks Just Added Two Names Worth Watching In Camp
The Hawks filled two open spots on their 21-man training camp roster by adding forward Cameron Corhen and guard Kobe Johnson, giving the organization a pair of low-risk looks as camp takes shape. Both moves fit the familiar late-summer pattern for Atlanta, where Exhibit 10 signings often serve as a bridge between training camp competition and the G League pipeline.
Johnson is already a returning rights player for the College Park Skyhawks, which makes him an especially natural fit in the system, while Corhen arrives as an undrafted big out of Pittsburgh with a chance to work his way into the affiliate picture. Around the league, similar camp moves kept popping up too, with Miami signing Lester Quinones, Charlotte adding Wyatt Fricks and Detroit waiving Bryson Warren, underscoring how quickly teams are sorting out their final developmental options. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Camp Battle Could Shape More Than Just The Final Roster
Atlantas training camp has opened with the usual blend of player development and roster sorting, but this one carries a little extra weight because the Hawks are already at their limit for standard contracts. With several players on expiring deals and a handful of two-way options in the mix for depth, every rep matters a bit more than it usually would in September, especially for a team still keeping one eye on the draft and another on the trade market.
Mouhamed Gueye is part of the conversation, too, and his spot helps show how much of this roster is still fluid even after the official signings are in place. The Hawks have also used Exhibit-10 deals to bring in additional bodies for camp, which keeps College Park in the picture as a development path, but the more interesting question is how much of this competition is really about filling the last few slots and how much of it is about shaping the front offices next move. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Fans May Not Love What This Center Rumor Would Cost
Atlantas front office has the kind of flexibility that usually keeps it in the center of trade chatter, with a full roster and a stash of expiring salaries that could be used to make something happen. That is why Jalen Duren has surfaced as a player worth monitoring, even if the Pistons have shown no eagerness to move him and the Hawks have reasons to be patient rather than rush into a deal.
Jalen Duren would fill a real need, but the price tag could turn the conversation fast, especially if Detroit treats him like more than a simple trade chip in a sign-and-trade. For Atlanta, the question is not just whether the interest is there, but whether the cost would be too steep for a team that does not appear ready to chase this one aggressively right now. [Read more 🡒]