If you had predicted that Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis would only suit up for a combined 27 games before being traded, the assumption might have been that the Hawks were in for a rocky ride. Yet, against the odds, Atlanta has soared after trading away what many considered their "two best players."
The secret? Remarkable contributions from Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Hawks have gone 12-1 in their last 13 games, catapulting from the ninth seed to the sixth.
Zach Harper from The Athletic has taken notice, placing Alexander-Walker first and Jalen Johnson third in his Most Improved Player projections, highlighting their excellence in expanded roles.
Jalen Johnson: A Star Emerges
Johnson’s journey to stardom has been one of the league’s more compelling developmental stories. After a rookie year with just 120 minutes on the court and significant time in the G League, Johnson gradually carved out a place in the rotation.
By his third season, he showed flashes of his potential, averaging 16.0 points and 8.7 rebounds, though his campaign was cut short by injury. His fourth season was marred by a labrum tear, limiting him to 36 games.
Now, in his fifth season and under a five-year, $150 million contract, Johnson has truly arrived as an elite offensive force. Averaging 22.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and an impressive 8.0 assists per game, he’s also contributing 1.3 steals. Johnson leads all forwards in potential assists per 100 possessions and ranks second in defensive rebound percentage, trailing only the legendary Kevin Love.
Interestingly, scoring is his least prominent skill among points, rebounds, and assists. With CJ McCollum joining the starting lineup, Johnson has flourished in a slightly reduced scoring role, allowing his other talents to shine.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Rising to the Occasion
While Johnson’s rise was anticipated, Alexander-Walker’s breakout season caught many by surprise. His four-year, $60 million signing was initially seen as a solid move, given his reputation as a relentless 3-and-D wing in Minnesota. He was expected to back up Trae Young and Dyson Daniels.
However, when Young was sidelined after just five games, Alexander-Walker stepped up as a starting combo guard. He elevated his scoring from 9.4 to 20.3 points per game, shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc on 8.0 attempts per game. His defensive prowess has remained a cornerstone of the Hawks’ unexpectedly strong defense.
Alexander-Walker has transitioned from a sixth man to potentially the league’s best non-star player, echoing the value shift towards players who excel in the "little things." Winning the Most Improved Player award, traditionally given to primary scorers, would reflect this new appreciation for "blue collar" contributions, as noted by Hawks reporter David Lee.
Atlanta has indeed struck gold this season with these in-season transformations, proving that sometimes, the best moves are the ones you never saw coming.