Finding a hidden gem in the NBA is always a blessing, and Jalen Wilson could be that for the Atlanta Hawks if his recent performance is any indicator.
The 25-year-old shined against Memphis
The former second-round pick was spared 15 minutes of playing time against the Memphis Grizzlies, and he used it wisely. His 12-point performance sparked a glimmer of hope off the bench after he entered the game at 4:22 in the third quarter.
Wilson and the Hawks were trailing 115-101 when he drilled two three-pointers in a row. Just like that, the score was 115-107, triggering a back-and-forth. The two teams traded buckets, but the Hawks couldn't get any consistent stops.
Although they couldn’t close the gap, Wilson was aggressive the entire quarter, getting to the free-throw line multiple times. He ended his performance with an and-one off a pass from RayJ Dennis.
It wasn’t enough to secure a victory against their geographical neighbors, but it might’ve been enough to secure future opportunities with the franchise.
Could Atlanta find a use for Wilson?
Many people are prone to overreacting to the NBA preseason; after all, there’s no basketball like NBA basketball. Fans are excited to see their new rookies and old stars return to the court.
With that overreaction comes underlying optimism, and Jalen Wilson could benefit from it. The Hawks already have their 15-man roster, but they have a budding crop of talent down in College Park.
The 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena has developed Jalen Johnson and many others, so there’s no reason Wilson can't improve, too. He is on a two-way contract, so Jalen can be called up at any time, but it should be as soon as an injury occurs.
His 6’6 ", 220-pound frame can be useful on the wing, and he’s a reliable shooter with aggressive penetration. For anyone who is still skeptical, there’s plenty of time left to dispel any doubt.
There’s plenty of talent for a litmus test
Not only do the Hawks have four preseason games left, but their matchups include the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s right, both Western Conference finalists are on the near schedule.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Victor Wembanyama or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will make an appearance. However, both teams have stellar starters and reliable benches , so they’ll be a great test nonetheless.
Fans should keep an eye on Wilson for the remainder of the preseason since he’ll definitely get more playing time. The starters' minutes will dwindle as the games progress, and Jalen will rise higher in the rotation.
If he impresses the coaching staff and front office, the 23-year-old will be an interesting prospect moving forward.
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