Newly-minted Atlanta Hawks point guard, Kingston Flemings, impressed many scouts during his time in the NBA Summer League. The Thomas & Mack Center served as the stage for his stellar playmaking and decision-making.
Now, he has the chance to steal the show in a draft class headlined by a four-headed monster.
He's likely going to shine in the second unit
One of Atlanta’s biggest weaknesses last season was the lack of playmaking from their guard room. They were able to just barely get by with Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels as primary playmakers.
However, the Hawks are at their best when they have an agile playmaker leading their particular style of play. This is why Flemings was selected eighth-overall, but for now, he’ll observe CJ McCollum from the bench.
The 34-year old will be a great veteran for the 19-year-old rookie. Whenever a point guard is drafted in the top ten, they’re given the keys to the offense from day one. But for Flemings, he’ll learn from his 14-year veteran while leading his fellow rookies off the bench.
He will have plenty of offensive weapons by his side, including the dynamic Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort. The two NBA Champions will also provide leadership to the young Flemings as well, so although he’s not starting like most lottery picks, he’ll have a better supporting cast than most rookies.
Atlanta's team is superior to many in the lottery
One of the best things about the Hawks' draft cycle this summer was the fact that they really didn’t need the pick. Atlanta was one of two playoff-caliber teams to make the lottery, with the second being the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Atlanta's roster is beneficial for Flemings, who has an insatiable hunger for glory, and it’ll elevate his odds of winning the Rookie Of The Year award. Even though wins and losses don't affect the race, winning more games provides more coverage.
If Kingston can average around nine points and five assists per game, he’s bound to produce some fun highlights. He already has an electric playstyle with his athleticism and scoring. So, playing for a 50+ win team will only put him in a much bigger spotlight.
The success will level the playing field with Caleb Wilson, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa. All four players are leading rebuilding franchises, so they’ll have better numbers than Flemings on paper.
Regardless, if Kingston can perform how he did in Las Vegas, his name will certainly be in the running for the 2027 Rookie Of The Year award.
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