It’s above 90 degrees in Atlanta right now, and the Hawks’ new rookies better get used to the blistering heat as they prepare for a trip to Vegas. Luckily for them, they get to relax by the cool mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah first.
With their first game only four days away, the new members of the nest must spread their wings. It’s an exciting time for a franchise that struggled to crack .500 for the last three seasons, but depending on how the rookies perform, it will give us a good or bad omen for what's to come
It all begins with Kingston Flemings
The most important thing will be the aggression of their new point guard, Kingston Flemings. Being a lottery pick, he has no choice but to be at least the second-best player on the floor, depending on who he’s facing.
He was the best player on the 2025-26 Houston Cougars, who not only finished 30-7, but also featured two other NBA players in Chris Cenac Jr. and Emanuel Sharp.
His scoring and playmaking took center stage, so fans will expect nothing less. They’ll likely be expecting more considering the spotlight that the Hawks’ schedule will bring.
On July 4th, fireworks will be set off throughout the country, and the excitement outside will be met with frenetic energy inside the John M. Huntsman Center. Fans of the Jazz will pack the 15,000-seat arena to watch Darryn Peterson. There’s a slim chance that he doesn’t play, but it’s unlikely.
It will give us the chance to see Flemings attack Peterson, who is considered a great defender when healthy. On the other end, we’ll also see Flemings’ reliable defense be put to the test as he tries to stop the second-overall pick in front of his new fans.
Both tests will tell us a lot about the Hawks’ new lottery pick, and it’s vital to know since he’s Trae Young’s long-term replacement. Other than Peterson, Flemings will face the same two-way test against Brooklyn Nets rookie Mikel Brown Jr.
These two games are important because we get a direct comparison with his positional competition, but the entire Summer League circuit will showcase Flemings' decision-making, which is the most important thing for him as he prepares to be a backup point guard for a winning team in year one.
Exploring Zuby Ejiofor’s offensive repertoire
One of the two Hawks’ big men to discuss is Zuby Ejiofor. His defensive potential is what got him drafted, along with his insatiable effort on the offensive glass.
Finishing with 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds under Rick Pitino shouldn’t be underestimated. His highlight tape is filled with encouraging film, but one question he must answer is: What is his role on offense?
Ejiofor has supreme athleticism, so he’ll be great for cuts and second-chance points. Other than this, he could struggle in Quin Snyder’s system. He rarely has a player in the rotation who can’t spread the floor, so summer league will allow Ejiofor to show his true offensive value, at least at the beginning.
Peeling back the curtain, he shot 30.5% from beyond the arc, so the potential is there. It's just that we have to see if his shot diet can handle the rapid increase in three-point shooting.
According to TeamRankings.com, the Hawks ranked ninth in three-point field goal attempts, and it’s only going to increase with new members like Aaron Wiggins joining the team. To be honest, this is the most important factor of the summer for Ejiofor, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities.
Since he was the 23rd pick, he’ll get a little more freedom from the coaching staff than Kingston Flemings, and the schedule will be a test for him as well, as it will be for his teammate. On July 7th, Ejiofor will face off against Cameron Boozer.
This will put his defense to the test as he prepares for the third overall pick, and he’ll be thrown into the fire again on July 16th in a rematch - if Boozer plays, of course. Other than his offensive question marks, the Hawks desperately need his athleticism and defense.
Their developmental team is proven at this point, with two consecutive Most Improved Player awards, so fans should be open to waiting for Zuby Ejiofor’s final form.
Henri Veesaar’s defense and physicality
Acquiring Henri Veesaar with the 52nd overall pick from the Los Angeles Clippers was an absolute steal for the Atlanta Hawks. Shortly after the pick swap, Draft Expert Adam Finklestein gave his two cents on Atlanta’s latest European addition.
“The Hawks get an A (letter grade), you got a first-round caliber talent here that you were able to acquire just for cash. I mean this a home run for Atlanta,” said Finklestein.
“Because remember that Quin Snyder is one of the most creative offensive coaches in the NBA, and he just got a very skilled 7-footer, who can not only make threes, but he’s a very good three-point shooter.”
It’s an accurate depiction of his game, and at 22-years old, he is NBA ready and set to make an immediate impact. Before he’s able to touch a regular season game, he must prove he can be a reliable rim protector in summer league.
Not to put any unnecessary pressure on the rookie’s shoulder, but the entire Eastern Conference knows this is Atlanta’s biggest weakness. He has to show flashes of respectable defense with good shot contest and anticipation.
Luckily for Veesaar, he’ll have Ejiofor alongside him to help crash the glass, and it’s very important as he prepares for his tough individual test. Just one night before their matchup against the Grizzlies on the 7th, Vessaar will face the 12th overall pick Aday Mara on the 6th.
Oklahoma City will have their own talented frontcourt, with Mara and Thomas Sorber. This one game will tell us a lot about Vessaar’s ability to fight down low while dealing with a height and massive weight disadvantage. Since it’s another rookie, it’ll serve as a litmus test for the upcoming season.
If Veesar shows what’s expected being a seven-footer, we could see him play a massive role in year one as the official third center behind Onyeka Okongwu and (maybe) Jock Landale.
The shooting and rebounding will be apparent from the beginning, while he continues to fill in his frame to be a major piece for the future.
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