After the promise last season, much is expected of Jalen Johnson heading into his fourth season. Can he deliver upon that promise?
Jalen Johnson has had to wait for his opportunity in the NBA.
From a rookie season on a playoff team where he saw limited time, to a sophomore season where he began to emerge in a bench role, to where things finished last season where Johnson stepped into the starting lineup and show promise of a budding star. In a season that was largely devoid of joy for Atlanta Hawks, Johnson was, by far, the brightest light in a murky night, averaging 5.6 points per game in 14.9 minutes a game two seasons ago to 16 points per game in 33.7 minutes per game last season.
None of the personal success of last season came as a surprise to Johnson — in fact it was the opposite, and now he’s looking to build on it.
“I expected it because I knew the work I put in,” said Johnson of last season. “None of that was a surprise to me as far as knowing what I’m capable of. It felt good to go out there and show what I’m capable of doing at least a part of it. Excited to continue to build, continue to get better for this year and just keep proving people.”
Johnson’s potential was evident to Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, even from his first practice with the team, before praising Johnson’s work effort and willingness to be taught as part of his development process, as well as how Johnson continues to move forward — and the increased noise that comes with the level of improvement and potential he is showing that Johnson will inevitably hear.
“I was reminded the other day when thinking about our press conference today, I had a press conference before I had a practice when I took over here,” Snyder reminisced. “Even before the press conference, just seeing the team on film as little as I was able to watch but being able to see it it was clear that Jalen is a player that has tremendous potential. I think he began to realize that potential over the course of last year. Front and center was his work ethic, his willingness and desire to be coached, that coupled with a real intentional focused approach to the game.
“I think what you’ll see (this season) is a player — although he is receiving more attention in a lot of different forms — it’ll be more of a challenge, but one that I think he’ll adjust to — maintaining his focus on the game. Not just his game but how he makes his teammates better. I won’t say shutting out that noise, it’s more processing your growth as a player. It’s a credit to him he’s getting some of that attention but that doesn’t necessarily have to be distracting. As a young player in this league, his ability to maintain his focus and his work ethic and his intentionality, to see him continue to develop across a number of areas. There’s more there. He’s thirsty for improvement. That’s why we’re talking about him.”
In the midst of all this positivity for Johnson last season, if there was something that slightly marred the progress of Johnson it was injuries.
In late November, Johnson suffered a left distal radius fracture which sidelined him for just over a month. An injury like that can happen to anyone, but what were more concerning were the multiple ankle injuries/tweaks that were suffered in 2024 and would eventually keep Johnson sidelined for the final leg of the season.
In the end, Johnson played just 56 games.
Johnson spoke during the Hawks’ exit interviews about how he may need to look to change things over the summer to better help protect his health on the court, and heading into 2024-25 it appears he’s made two changes. Among other things, Johnson has changed his shoes, which he feels a lot more comfortable with now.
“I got a pair of shoes I’m going to rock this year that’s a lot better for ankle support,” said Johnson. “I’ve been trying different things with my ankles and I’ve found something that’s comfortable. I’m comfortable in that aspect now, shouldn’t have to worry about that.”
Trae Young mentioned during his own Media Day availability that Johnson has also started wearing ankle braces for further support.
“I hope you noticed that he’s wearing some ankle braces now, so that’s a good addition for him!” said Young of Johnson. “I’m happy, because that’s something I had to add, so it’s cool that even somebody as athletic as him is wearing ankle braces. It’s cool that he’s doing that, he’ll play some more games for us and it’ll be better for us.”
It’s encouraging to see Johnson be proactive about making changes in order to remain healthy. It’s a big season for him, and his success this season is one of the defining elements of success for the Atlanta Hawks this season. With Trae Young, you know what you’re getting: 25 (or so) points and 10-to-11 assists. But for the Hawks to go to another level, it requires Johnson taking a step and staying on the court.
“For us it’s about being on the court together more,” said Young of taking it to the next level with Johnson. “I think this is year four for him but it feels like (year) two…Last year he had some ankle injuries. I’m praying he’s available for us because when he’s playing he makes our team better. Obviously when he’s not, especially this year, it’s going to be big hole for us to fill, so we need him out there playing for us.”
In terms of what Johnson currently brings, Snyder outlined it at length during Media Day. highlighting Johnson’s improvement, rebounding from injury, where Johnson is at his best, and his versatility.
“Jalen’s improvement last year was something I think all of us were really excited about,” said Snyder. “When he hurt his wrist in December you would have thought that that slowed him down, and I thought he came back with the same level of focus. His versatility is something that’s really unique. The times where he played his best basketball last year he really let the game come to him. I think when you do have the ability to pass and shoot and handle, it gives you that chance to do that — to impact the game in a variety of ways throughout the course of a game.
“The one thing we’ve continued to impress upon him — and I think he’s really embraced — is his ability to impact the game defensively as well. Whether that means defensive rebounding— you get back to his versatility, when he gets a defensive rebound he’s a guy who’s capable of pushing it in transition and making plays for other people. For Jalen, it’s less about any one thing — albeit I think his focus defensively is an area where he can really impact winning — but it’s really a function of the fact he can impact the game in so many ways, and him allowing himself the opportunity to do that and not defining himself in any one way.”
Other than injuries, another aspect of Johnson last season that could be improved is something Snyder alluded to: letting the game come to him. There were some times last season where Johnson would try to do a little too much offensively and force the issue, and some of these shots (especially when he was trying to contort his way to rim) weren’t always ideal. With how big of a step Johnson was almost forced into last season as it unfolded, it’s natural that his offensive game is still being refined, and I’ll certainly be interested to see how this element of his game improves this season.
From the Hawks’ perspective, Snyder alluded to where Johnson can to continue to improve and make a big difference: defense. Johnson, too, wants to make an improvement on that side of the ball and take it on.
“I’m willing to take those challenges,” said Johnson when asked about Snyder’s defense comments. “I understand it’s more of a mindset thing with the defense. The offense comes easy but the defense you’ve got to lock in and be willing to take those challenges, especially guarding the forwards every night. I’m looking forward to that. Coach is going to hold me accountable, my teammates are going to hold me accountable and I’m going to hold myself accountable on the defensive end this season.”
Perhaps an under-appreciated part of Johnson’s development this season is — with Dejounte Murray now gone — a likely a slight increase in some ball-handling responsibilities, more so when Young is off the court. This has been an area Johnson is strong at (especially for his position and size) and by his own admission isn’t the best at yet, but continues to work on it.
“Handling the ball is something I’ve always been comfortable with,” said Johnson. “Pick-and-roll is something I’m working on, not something I’m the best at yet but just continuing and willing to grow my game in that aspect as well.”
Johnson is a threat in open-court situations; he can handle the ball, he can turbo ahead and put pressure on the rim with his athleticism (with or without the ball), he can pick a pass and his three-point shot is respectable (35.5% last season). In terms of ball-handling, it’s always enjoyable to see Johnson orchestrate a pick-and-roll, but also to engage in the pick-and-roll with Young. Now heading into the second season of this partnership, Johnson has warned there’ll only be improvements to be had between the two.
“The pick-and-roll with me and Trae, that’s something we can keep building,” added Johnson. “We have one year together really doing that. It’s only going to get scarier from here.”
Johnson also spoke about embracing a leadership role, crediting his fourth-year teammates for their leadership when he was a rookie.
“I’m excited to embrace that role because I had a lot of guys look out for me when even they were in year four and I was in year one,” said Johnson of a leadership role. “I’m going to look to help those guys in whatever way they need. I’m always going to be here for them: good, bad, indifferent, whatever it is. I’m going to be that supportive teammate no matter what. I’m excited to help them and help them chase their dreams as well.”
An overarching storyline over Johnson this season is the fact that this is the final year of his rookie deal, and an extension still remains unsigned. Johnson, however, is unperturbed by this, insisting his focus is on the court and that his agents will deal with the rest.
“I let my agents handle all that, I’m just out here trying to focus on the season,” said Johnson of contract negotiations. “I let all that stuff take care of itself, my representations will handle that. I’m just letting those two handle that. I’m just out here to win games, play basketball and have fun.”
It’s quite incredible that Johnson has gone from a bench player heading into his third season (it’s easy to forget that Saddiq Bey was starting ahead of Johnson heading into last season!) to having a very realistic opportunity to earn a rookie max contract, so perhaps Johnson is better off leaving the Hawks’ offer on the table, unless it turns into that rookie max.
All the elements are there for Johnson: he’s improving offensively, defensively he makes a big impact for the Hawks, he’s versatile on both ends, he can handle the ball, he can pass he’s super athletic…it’s hard to think of an area that Johnson is weak at — there is so much he can do for one player, and any time he was sidelined with injury it was a massive blow for the Hawks. As Snyder alluded to, his versatility is so important.
How far the Atlanta Hawks can go in 2024-25 is dependent on Johnson’s continued development, and his health. While there is a lot more pressure on Young to stay healthy (no more being able to remain the same in his absence with Murray there — that luxury is gone), what Johnson can offer is arguably just as important.
If Johnson can nudge himself into the 20 (or more) points per game conversation — one of the harder leaps to make in the past in the NBA — whilst continuing to offer defense, it’s a game-changer for the Hawks and the they absolutely need everything Johnson brings to reach another level and push themselves back into playoff contention.
Perhaps this is a better way to put it: the certainty of what Trae Young brings every night raises the team’s floor, but the potential of Jalen Johnson can push this team’s ceiling — and neither can do it without the other.
Regardless who you feel is ‘more important,’ make no mistake, the success of the Atlanta Hawks’ season begins and ends with Young and Johnson, and that’s an incredible turnaround from just one year ago.
Jalen Johnson has had to wait for his opportunity in the NBA, but it’s finally arrived. He has arrived…