Lu Dort made his preseason debut for the Atlanta Hawks against the Indiana Pacers, and his defensive assignment immediately stood out. Rather than having Jalen Johnson defend Pascal Siakam, Atlanta turned to Dort to handle the matchup.
That decision offered an early glimpse of how Dort's arrival could benefit Atlanta's franchise centerpiece. His defensive versatility isn't just about making the Hawks tougher; it could help Johnson become an even more effective offensive weapon.
Dort can take pressure off of Johnson defensively
There's a reason Dort has established himself among the NBA's elite defenders. Despite standing just 6-foot-4, his physical strength allows him to defend bigger players who would normally present difficult matchups for traditional guards.
His assignment against Siakam demonstrated exactly why Atlanta valued that versatility. Instead of asking Johnson to spend significant energy defending one of Indiana's most talented forwards, Quin Snyder had another dependable option.
That matters because Johnson already carries considerable responsibility offensively. Coming off an All-NBA season, he's expected to lead Atlanta through his scoring, rebounding, playmaking and ability to create opportunities in transition.
Having Dort handle some of the more physically demanding defensive assignments could help Johnson preserve energy throughout games. It wouldn't eliminate Johnson's defensive responsibilities, but it could allow him to be more selective about when to exert himself.
For a player expected to carry Atlanta offensively, that difference could become significant over an 82-game season.
Dort could become Johnson's most valuable supporting piece
The Hawks are still searching for another legitimate star to pair alongside Johnson. However, Dort could provide something nearly as important in the meantime by making Johnson's existing responsibilities easier to manage.
Not every valuable supporting player needs to average 20 points per game. Sometimes the greatest contribution comes from taking on difficult assignments that allow a team's best offensive player to maximize his strengths.
That could become especially important during the playoffs, where physicality and defensive matchups often determine a series. Atlanta experienced that reality against the New York Knicks, whose physical approach exposed some of the Hawks' limitations.
With Dort available, Snyder could approach those matchups differently. Johnson wouldn't necessarily have to spend entire games battling opposing forwards while simultaneously being expected to generate most of Atlanta's offensive production.
Of course, Dort's presence alone won't guarantee Johnson becomes a more efficient scorer or transforms Atlanta into a championship contender. But reducing some of his defensive workload creates an opportunity for Johnson to attack offensively with greater energy.
The Hawks still need another star eventually, but they may have already acquired someone capable of making their current star better.
Dort won't replace the production of a traditional offensive co-star. His value could come from helping Johnson produce even more of it.
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