Kingston Flemings finally gets to suit up in an Atlanta Hawks uniform, and since there's not much on the line, he can play freely - and that's when he's at his best.
Atlanta begins their summer league journey earlier than most, tipping off action in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday night. They'll be facing off against Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz in their first share of action, setting up what could be a fun matchup on Independence Day.
Two top-ten picks facing off usually comes with a lot of rookie year-defining narratives, but for Flemings, regardless of if he struggles right off the bat or outshines the second-overall pick, there's not much weight falling on his performance.
The best part about summer league is rookies working through mistakes
Hawks fans know it all too well. Sometimes, a highly-regarded prospect is unable to find their footing, especially in the early portion of the summer. Getting this experience, no matter how it goes on paper, allows for a much smoother transition to the league - which often approaches quicker than many expect it to.
Expectations should honestly be tempered. While there's a realistic shot that Flemings just balls out, making Salt Lake City his own and emerging as one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year, it's more likely he shows imperfection. If that's the case, he needs to be given grace. He's 19 years old, after all.
His first matchup coming against the second-overall pick, Darryn Peterson, is almost too good to be true. He immediately gets a chance to make his mark, and if there was ever a time for him to have a dominant performance, it's now.
The offseason is never really much of an offseason, as summer league gives fans a perfect holdover for the action that truly matters.
A chip on his shoulder should help him succeed
Players are at their best when they have something to prove, and Flemings - without a doubt - has something to prove.
Once viewed as an undeniable top-five selection, right after North Carolina's Caleb Wilson, Flemings saw a significant drop on many draft boards due to underwhelming measurements at the combine.
His biggest strength, however, is that he's always played bigger than he is. It's impossible to teach heart, and his relentless motor should not only help him make a statement in the summer, but into his rookie season and beyond.
Atlanta got a good one, and he now gets a chance to make sure everyone knows that heading into his first NBA season.
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