The Atlanta Hawks drafted Jalen Johnson with the 20th pick in the 2021 NBA draft. While the Hawks were a little surprised that he fell to them, they made sure that they pounced when he fell to them. The transition specialist has a really good chance of cementing some playing time this season.
The roles that Johnson may be asked to take will vary massively. He could be the player who takes the Onyeka Okongwu minutes as the sophomore recovers from his shoulder surgery which could take up to six months to recover from.
If John Collins gets overpaid in free agency and chooses to sign with another franchise, then Johnson may get a fairly significant role with the franchise. If he can live up to the pro comparisons that he has drawn then this will not be a terrible thing for the Hawks.
The Atlanta Hawks may see some opportunities arise out of Jalen Johnson.
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The basic assumption for this article is that John Collins stays with the team, he will most certainly remain the starter. This means that Danilo Gallinari will be the first big man off the bench. Both of these two players will be under their long-term contracts and if the season goes as planned, both will stay with the Hawks.
Drafting Johnson means that the Hawks definitely have no plans to pursue Tony Snell in free agency. His days were numbered when he was barely used towards the end of the season and into the playoffs.
With the re-emergence of Cam Reddish in the Eastern Conference Finals and the probable return early in the season of De’Andre Hunter from injury, Solomon Hill is unlikely to be re-signed. The veteran who did it all for the Hawks last season lost his starting role with the Hawks in the playoffs due to his lack of offense.
The other player unlikely to get a contract of any sort with the Hawks next season is Nathan Knight. The two-way player from last season did not get the opportunity to showcase his full potential due to the G-League not operating normally. As he has not been extended a qualifying offer, it is unlikely that we will see Knight back with the Hawks.