If he hadn't already, Jalen Johnson has officially earned the title of "franchise player" in Atlanta. With Trae Young out of the picture, there's no longer a debate on who is the center of attention for the Hawks. This is Johnson's team, and any transaction the Hawks make going forward will be done with Johnson in mind. Anyone they acquire will be done so based on how that player will fit with the 23 year-old forward.
This is a sizable vote of confidence from the franchise in Johnson — and an even bigger risk. It's probably a risk worth taking right now, but it's a risk nonetheless with how unproven Johnson is this early in his career.
That's not me questioning the skillset of Johnson, for the record. He's a massively talented and unique player in the NBA. But he went from promising prospect to the guy on whom all the hopes of this franchise are pinned in record time.
Also, it's not like Johnson was excelling in that role on a great team — he was a good player on a few Hawks teams that didn't compete for much of anything. It's almost unprecedented how quickly the Hawks have entrusted him with bringing this team to greatness.
Jalen Johnson is the clear No. 1 option in Atlanta
And the Hawks appear to be in "buy" mode already in an attempt to build a roster around Johnson that can compete in the Eastern Conference this year. Desperate times called for desperate measures in the Trae Young deal, and the return wasn't what fans hoped it would be. But CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert are both good scoring options to flank Johnson — and now it appears the Hawks are searching for some center depth on the market too, in large part to compensate for Kristaps Porzingis' inability to stay on the court.
A true point guard replacement for Trae Young should be next on the Hawks wishlist. Tyus Jones is available, so that's an option, or the Hawks could just roll with their lineup of eight shooting guards who all share ballhandling duties with Johnson.
Whatever path the Hawks decide to take, they'll be doing it with the purpose of building the best roster around their versatile power forward, instead of around the thrilling point guard they built around for the past seven years.
Will it work? I have no idea! But at the very least, it's a clear plan. And there's some value in simply having a clear plan.