Despite an inevitable surge in trade value, the Atlanta Hawks plan to ignore calls for Jalen Johnson in 2025-26. Opportunities will likely exist for the Hawks to flip Johnson for a more established talent, but the front office seems to understand just how significant his potential is.
Already proving to be one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA, Atlanta's stance is clear: It has no interest in letting another team tap into the potential it's already exploring.
Johnson, 23, is building upon a brilliant 2024-25 campaign that was unfortunately cut short by a season-ending shoulder injury. In the process, he's emerging as a player that teams would likely be willing to trade disgruntled superstars for.
NBA insider Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report relayed on a recent stream that he doesn't see the Hawks being willing to trade Johnson—even if it would bring back Giannis Antetokounmpo.
"Atlanta has looked at Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher as the next iteration of the Hawks. Potentially even beyond Trae Young. If anything, I think Atlanta would be trying to get Giannis Antetokounmpo without sending Johnson out and putting Trae Young in. I don't think that you're getting a world where you're getting Trae and Giannis."
With Fischer's educated guess being that the Hawks would rather trade Young for Antetokounmpo than Johnson, it's clear who the franchise player truly is.
Hawks' trade strategy proof they view Jalen Johnson as franchise player
Johnson is playing like a superstar in their prime, let alone on the rise, and his ascension may be closer to completion than anyone could've expected. He's dominating the glass, creating for his teammates as well as any forward in the NBA, shooting with unexpectedly elite efficiency, and turning a corner as a scorer.
Johnson's progress has manifested with averages of 23.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made per game on .534/.404/.805 shooting.
Johnson is currently one of just two NBA players averaging at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. The other player on that list has enough gravitas to put the Hawks forward's superstar production into perspective: Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
For as intriguing as his production already is, it must be noted that Johnson has taken his game and production to an entirely new level with Young sidelined by a knee injury.
Hawks refuse to abandon Jalen Johnson as he makes the superstar leap
Johnson has recorded averages of 25.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.4 three-point field goals made per game over his past 13 appearances. He's come up with four triple-doubles during that time, including one in each of his past two appearances.
Johnson has also recorded a 41-point game and a 31-point, 18-rebound, 14-assist, and seven-steal showing that ranks among the best individual performances of the season.
In addition to dominating the stat sheet, Johnson is a legitimate two-way player who's having a positive impact on winning. He can defend multiple positions, provide value on and away from the ball, and has experienced impressive success against opposing teams' best forwards.
The five players who have attempted the most field goals against Johnson this season are Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Miles Bridges, and Tobias Harris—and they've shot a combined 17-of-52 from the field.
Rather than abandoning Johnson just as he lands with both feet on the path to superstardom, the Hawks are doubling down on their commitment to him. Even if that means potentially losing out on Antetokounmpo, Atlanta knows what it has in its 23-year-old do-it-all forward.
Temptation will certainly exist as teams come calling for one of the best young players in the NBA, but the Hawks appear to be committed to seeing Johnson's development through.