The loss of Jalen Johnson for the rest of the season changes things for the Atlanta Hawks on many levels. Expectations for this group were already low coming into the season. They are lowered substantially by Johnson’s absence.
However, given the Hawks’ limited paths forward, their plans at the trade deadline may have been kicked into overdrive.
“Locked On Hawks” host Brad Rowland suspects this could make the Hawks buyers.
“Don't know what the Hawks will do between now and Thursday, but it would potentially change the calculus to “buy” in trades when the ceiling this year is quite a bit lower than it was before Johnson's injury,” Rowland posted on X on January 29. “Was already a future-facing season, but even more so now.”
Before the season even started, Trae mentioned the importance for Jalen to be on the floor for them to take the next step:
— Malik Brown (@_MalikATL) January 29, 2025
“When he’s playing, he makes our team better. When he’s not, especially this year, it’s going to be a big hole for us to fill, so we need him out there… https://t.co/cPAcFyPoBk
“Jalen Johnson, who left our Jan. 23 game vs. Toronto after sustaining a left shoulder dislocation, has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder,” the Hawks posted on X on January 29. “He is scheduled to undergo surgery next week at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, performed by Dr. Kyle Hammond.
“Johnson will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season and is expected to make a full recovery in advance of the 2025-26 season.”
The Hawks listed Bogdan Bogdanovic as being away from the team on the latest injury report.
Bogdanovic is one of several veterans whose names have been floated around in speculative discussion. But the Hawks are walking a fine line. Johnson has been the most impactful player on the team, and what he does will be hard if not impossible to replace on the trade market.
However, the Hawks must also be wary to keep themselves afloat lest they surrender too much in a trade.
Elephant in the room for the Hawks as trade deadline approaches
It is widely known by now, but the Hawks do not own their 2025 first-round pick. Going into the tank – by, say, trading Trae Young along with the other veterans – is not a feasible option. And with the Hawks being 4-7 without Johnson this season, a move is most likely needed.
The Hawks were fortunate to get bigs Clint Capela and, especially Larry Nance Jr. back from injury recently.
Nance, Johnson’s primary backup when both are healthy, has been a popular trade candidate.
The Hawks may need him now, with few options to replace him. But it could also mean the Hawks avoid trading Capela. He is currently backing up Onyeka Okongwu at center, but the latter has also moonlighted at power forward.
David Roddy figures to see more playing time, and the same could be said for second-year man Mouhamed Gueye.
Expect to see Zaccharie Risacher and De’Andre Hunter pick up minutes at the 4 too.
Do not expect any of the “replacements” to mirror all that Johnson can do on the court, and that is on offense and defense. The latter is where the Hawks may miss Johnson most the rest of the way. Regardless, they will absolutely miss him.