Jalen Johnson’s place amid the Atlanta Hawks potential roster shakeup
When the season began the Atlanta Hawks had much higher hopes than being 17-20 and struggling to get back into contention for even the play-in tournament let alone securing a spot in the playoffs. That is the reality of the situation though and it recently prompted some pointed comments from general manager Travis Schlenk.
Citing the defensive effort, the architect of the group took responsibility for its performance and vowed changes if things remain on their current course.
The NBA world has seized upon his words and the hypothetical trades have been coming fast and furious. We haven’t been above it and have identified ways they can upgrade their backup point guard as well as get some help with perimeter defense.
One name that has been left out to this point is rookie Jalen Johnson.
Atlanta Hawks rookie Jalen Johnson’s role amid potential trade talks will be critical, whatever it is
Johnson — the 20th overall pick back in June — hasn’t gotten to showcase his wares on the NBA stage for a Hawks team with playoff aspirations. Nate McMillan has lauded the rookie’s desire to go down to the G-League so as to get some consistent playing time with the College Park Skyhawks. As the head coach pointed out, they needed more injuries before Johnson would play.
He was being honest and maybe even a little conservative in his estimates.
Johnson has been inactive for the last five games (the G-League has stopped play amid the outbreak) even as the Hawks have dealt with COVID absences, appearing in just three of the eight games they’ve played.
In 12 games with the Skyhawks, all starts, Johnson is averaging 20.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists with 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks for good measure.
He’s shooting 44.8 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.
All of that is to say, perhaps the Hawks could attach Johnson in any deals in place of Cam Reddish who has piqued the interest of rival execs since he was drafted. There are more than a few indications he is one the Hawks need to retain if at all possible.
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One could argue Reddish’s inconsistency and injury history make him just as risky of an investment as Johnson’s lack of NBA production. On the same note, Reddish is coming up on a contract year. Perhaps another team would want more years of Johnson in their control than to give up assets for Reddish with less time to evaluate him before cashing him out.
Johnson is averaging just 2.2 points and 1.3 boards in about five minutes per contest but is shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from outside.
He does make a little more on his rookie deal than half of what Reddish will this season.
That could complicate things but not much. The bigger issue is their positions. Reddish is a swingman, capable of playing small forward and shooting guard. Johnson is a modern stretch four with the size to play small-ball five and even big three in a pinch.
What teams need positionally could determine their asking price more than anything. And the Hawks wouldn’t be “losers” holding onto Johnson’s ceiling either.
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But, if they have could have it their way, it should be to retain Reddish and move a player they don’t want to rely on until next season at the earliest.