The Atlanta Hawks need to make some roster adjustments before the season begins. Before anything, they'll have to release or trade someone to get down to 15 players. At 16, currently, their isn't much reason for them to bring anyone new in. At least for the time being.
What isn't full, though, is their two-way space. Every season, every team can have up to three players on two-way contracts for the length of the year. While organizations don't necessarily have to fill those slots, they should - and usually do.
Which guys to bring in is a more difficult decision than most believe. The Hawks, however, may have a clear answer after what Kobe Johnson - the younger brother of Jalen Johnson - has been able to showcase in this year's summer league.
Johnson has proven himself incredibly worthy of a two-way contract
There's overreacting summer play, but there's also taking notice of obvious trends. Johnson's 30-point night, as incredible as it was, wasn't any sort of outlier. He was beyond due for an explosion given his undeniable trajectory.
On July 9, against the San Antonio Spurs, Johnson recorded 11 points and eight rebounds in a lesser role. With each game, more confidence arrived, and so did his production.
He followed up that performance by putting up 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a win over the Brooklyn Nets on July 11.
Then came the true breakthrough. Many had already written the Hawks off after it was revealed that they'd be sitting all three of their most impactful players - Kingston Flemings, Asa Newell and Zuby Ejiofor - but Johnson clearly had a different vision of how they could remain at the top.
In a shorthanded battle with the Boston Celtics, on July 13, Johnson dominated the stat sheet. He ended the night with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists, showcasing unbelievable efficiency in the process. Atlanta won, despite being without three of their top guys.
His efforts should be rewarded with a two-way deal
Kobe Johnson clearly had a lot to prove entering his second summer league, and in the eyes of fans and staff alike, he's certainly proved himself.
Now, if he can follow up his 30-point night with another quality performance - sending Atlanta to the summer league semi-final game - he can add yet another reason for his two-way candidacy.
The signs of growth Johnson's been able to show in his limited time in the league has been impressive, and there's no reason to believe he can't keep it up in a different role.
Atlanta should lock him into a two-way contract before the season gets started.
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