Jalen Johnson already proving to take another step for the Hawks

The Atlanta Hawkswill be starting training campnot far from now, and they're already getting work in with each other. Whether that's on the FIBA World Cup team with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Lu Dort, or in offseason runs with other NBA players, the Hawks have shown to be working together to get better before the season begins.

Jalen Johnson's offseason workouts always seem to hit the internet, and for the past few seasons, he's been seen working out with players such as LeBron James. That didn't change this offseason, but it looks like he brought some friends along for the ride this time around. In some of the workout clips, rookies Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor were seen getting in reps with Johnson.

This is good for the Hawks, but this also says a lot about Johnson and how he's taking the next step in his career, on and off the court.

Jalen Johnson is lending an early hand to the rookies

There's no secret that Johnson isthe star player for the Hawks, and he fully embraced that role last season after Trae Young was traded. He did almost everything on the court for his team, and it led him to earn an All-Star appearance and All-NBA honors. He also helped lead the Hawks to the playoffs, but they fell to the eventual NBA champions, the New York Knicks.

In order for the Hawks to take that next step, Johnson has to take his game to another level, but that also comes with becoming more of a leader than he was last season. That means helping the rookies, and it looks like he's getting started early by bringing them along to work out with him. Things like that go a long way, and they know they'll have someone they can lean on in their rookie year.

It also builds chemistry going into the season, as Fleming and Ejiofor could be playing some meaningful minutes early in their career.

Johnson knows that he used to be in their positions, and his story will probably be different from how they may rise in the league. Just the mere fact that he has experience is big, and it should help the rookies throughout the season. It won't just be Johnson helping them out as well, but other players like CJ McCollum, who's a proven vet in the league, or Dort and Aaron Wiggins, who have championship experience, will be around to lend a helping hand.

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