The Atlanta Hawks will undoubtedly take a big step forward next season after revamping their roster over the summer. With the additions of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kennard, the Hawks should challenge for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference. This means that Atlanta will likely be an over .500 team for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
The weakened Eastern Conference following injuries to Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton will potentially help Atlanta make a deep postseason run. More important than everything else, however, will be internal development from the young Hawks. Among those players, Jalen Johnson will be the biggest determining factor for how far this team can go.
Hawks' Jalen Johnson's Breakout Season Is Loading
Even though Dyson Daniels' ballhawking, Porzingis' unicorn abilities, and Trae Young's offensive dynamism will grab most headlines in Atlanta, Jalen Johnson will be the X-factor of this team. If the versatile forward can stay healthy, he is an excellent bet to make his first All-Star appearance next season.
Since Johnson missed at least 25 games in back-to-back seasons, his impact on the court can be forgotten by casual fans. Until he was diagnosed with a torn labrum and forced to miss the rest of this past season, Johnson was in the midst of a breakout campaign, averaging 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocked shots per game. He was contributing in all facets of the game on both ends of the floor. The 23-year-old former Duke standout is a rare combination of a defender who can guard multiple positions, force turnovers, and protect the rim.
The biggest step Johnson needs to take next season is shooting. He has been inconsistent from downtown, connecting on just 31.2% of his attempts during the 2024-25 campaign. This prevents him from being an efficient scorer, limiting his offensive ceiling. If he can improve to a league-average level from 3-point land, this will help open up other parts of his offense, giving him more opportunities at the basket.
More shooting thanks to Young, Porzingis, and Kennard means that Johnson will have more space to operate. This will result in more efficiency and more scoring. If he can stay healthy, this should be enough to earn him his first All-Star honors, hopefully alongside Trae Young.