The Atlanta Hawks don't need Kingston Flemings to become their starting point guard immediately. With a roster built to compete now, Atlanta has the luxury of allowing its prized rookie to develop at a comfortable pace instead of placing unnecessary pressure on him from the beginning.
But CJ McCollum's assessment of Flemings suggests the rookie might be capable of accelerating that timeline himself. When asked about the young guard during Hawks Media Day, McCollum highlighted several qualities that could help Flemings earn Quin Snyder's trust sooner rather than later.
"He's super smart. Very ahead of his time," McCollum said. "The lateral movement, the defense, he's consistent."
Those aren't insignificant compliments coming from an accomplished veteran guard. More importantly, the specific qualities McCollum identified could be exactly what allows Flemings to contribute before his offensive game completely develops.
Flemings is showing traits that could earn early minutes
Rookie guards aren't always kept off the floor because they lack talent. Adjusting to NBA defensive schemes, processing the game quickly and consistently making the correct decisions can be just as important when a head coach determines who deserves meaningful minutes.
That's what makes McCollum's description encouraging. Calling Flemings "super smart" and praising his consistency suggests he's already demonstrating qualities that could shorten the learning curve typically associated with young point guards.
His defense could also become an important pathway toward playing time. Flemings doesn't have to immediately become one of Atlanta's primary scorers if he can defend his position, make intelligent decisions and avoid becoming someone opponents can consistently target.
Atlanta has also created an environment where Flemings won't have to do everything. Playing around established veterans and a deep defensive group should allow him to focus on the areas where he's already comfortable while gradually expanding his responsibilities.
That could ultimately be the ideal developmental situation for him.
CJ McCollum could become invaluable to Flemings' development
McCollum's comments carry additional significance because he can become one of Flemings' most valuable resources. After more than a decade in the NBA, McCollum understands the preparation and consistency required for a young guard to earn minutes on a competitive team.
Flemings already entered Atlanta with significant praise from Snyder and the front office. Hearing similar confidence from a veteran teammate provides another indication that the Hawks' excitement surrounding him isn't simply based on what he could become several years from now.
Training camp and preseason will provide the first real opportunity to see how quickly that translates against NBA competition. Flemings will make mistakes, and Atlanta shouldn't change its long-term developmental approach because of encouraging comments before the season begins.
However, his basketball IQ could give Snyder more confidence to let him learn through those mistakes. Young players who understand positioning, defensive responsibilities and decision-making generally give coaches more reasons to keep them on the floor.
Flemings doesn't need to become an immediate star for his rookie season to be successful. But if McCollum's early assessment proves accurate, Atlanta's future point guard might be ready to help much sooner than expected.
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