Hawks should prioritize electric young guard as draft process unfolds

It appears fans of the Atlanta Hawks are finally over the brutal ending to their season, as they’ve seemingly embraced the festivities of the 2026 NBA Draft cycle. There are three factions of Hawks fans right now: Aday Mara believers, Mikel Brown Jr advocates, and Kingston Flemings voters.

The first two prospects have received most of the attention, but it doesn’t mean that Flemings isn’t just as talented, if not more. 

Hawks badly need to identify Trae Young's successor

After trading Trae Young in January, the Hawks' halfcourt shot-creation diminished almost instantly. It forced newcomer CJ McCollum to put the team on his back during times of anguish, and this ultimately led to their demise in the postseason.

Now that the offseason has arrived, General Manager Onsi Saleh must negotiate a new contract with the 34-year-old veteran. There’s no telling what his price tag will be, given his impressive season at this older age, and it’s perfect timing as Flemings awaits the NBA Draft.

The 19-year-old led the Houston Cougars to a 32-7 record before losing to Keaton Wagler and Illinois in the Elite Eight. During his freshman season, he led the team with 16.1 points and 5.2 assists per game.

His shot diet consisted mainly of mid-range jumpers, but Flemings was able to dial in from deep when Kelvin Sampson really needed it. Although he isn’t known for his range, he shot 38.7% from three and 47.6% from the field overall. 

The shot selection is the main reason why some Atlanta fans are hesitant to commit to the consensus Big 12 second-team All-American, but improving his jumpshot is a small price to pay for the upside he possesses.

Flemings could fit perfectly into Atlanta's promising core

He has already shown flashes of being a two-way player, and at 6’4", he’s perfect for long-term stability running point for Quin Snyder. Flemings showcased tremendous athleticism and jump-shooting during the combine drills; two assets the Hawks desperately need. 

His athleticism contributes to his lateral movement on defense and ability to fight through picks with physicality. It will take time to adjust at the NBA level, but the final product will be at least a starting-caliber point guard. 

On paper, an older Flemings has all the tools to pair well with Jalen Johnson. He’ll serve as a point-of-attack defender with good playmaking and a consistent jump shot. All three skills work well alongside Johnson, who could use Kingston as a help defender, off-ball scorer, and secondary playmaker. 

It’s obvious that Johnson can serve as the primary playmaker, but it’s a detriment to the Hawks' offensive potential. Kingston will fill in the gaps in their half-court shot creation and add another layer of offensive sets with his own versatility. 

Hawks shouldn't pass on Flemings if he's available at eight

Drafting Kingston Flemings would solve three major problems with one swift move. He'd fix Atlanta’s halfcourt shot creation and aid their defensive potential. Most importantly, He'd provide a younger and cheaper alternative for CJ McCollum, adding more value to Atlanta’s future. 

There will always be pundits supporting their favorite prospects, which is happening more than ever during this draft cycle. Although it might cause controversy on draft night, drafting Flemings over Mikel Brown Jr gives the Hawks a more proven defender. He also has higher upside than Aday Mara. 

Regardless of the final say, the Hawks could very well draft a future All-Star with the eighth overall pick, and fans won’t have to wait much longer before they finally get their answer. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow