Former exec lays out Hawks GM Landry Fields' potential $269 million decision

Time is ticking for the Atlanta Hawks.

Monday, October 21 is the deadline for rookie extensions for the 2021 NBA Draft class. For the Hawks, that means former No. 20 overall pick Jalen Johnson.

After already enjoying a breakout in 2023-24 but having it nullified by injury, Johnson could be poised for another significant leap in 2024-25. One that could include taking home the Most Improved Player award.

All that means is that Johnson’s stock – and price tag – are and will continue to rise.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who spent 20 years in the Brooklyn Nets front office, said he would offer a five-year, $148 million contract in an article from October 17 (subscription required).

None of Marks’ examples – Jaden McDaniels (5 yrs, $131M), Jerami Grant (5 yrs, $160M), and Kyle Kuzma (4 yrs, $90M) – will be asked to carry the offensive burden Johnson will as the No. 2 option in the Hawks’ offense behind Trae Young while also playing a key role on defense.

However, the expectation has been that Johnson could push for $30 million in annual salary.

Marks suggested that the Hawks turn their attention to an extension for Johnson following the Dejounte Murray trade.

This time around, he laid out some key details for the contract he would offer, noting a $33.7 million starting point and a $25.5 million final number. However, the former Nets assistant general manager also highlighted why a deal may or may not get done.

The No. 1 reason it could be is the Murray trade and Clint Capela’s pending free agency.

That will leave the Hawks below the luxury tax threshold. Marks also points to Johnson’s upside and the Hawks’ track record since general manager Landry Fields joined the front office in 2020.

“In addition to his points-per-game uptick, Johnson shot 36% on 3-pointers last season, up from 29% in 2022-23 and 23% in his rookie season. He also shot 66% in transition last season, eighth best among players with at least 120 attempts, per Second Spectrum,” Marks wrote on October 17.

“Atlanta has signed a player to a rookie extension in each of the past three offseasons.”

This has a chance to be the most expensive deal Fields has given out, though, and much of it has to do with Johnson's play.

The max extension is $224.2 million over five years but that number can climb to $269.1 million with MVP, All-NBA, or other awards. Several players from the class have already signed extensions and at least one more – Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls – is rumored to be a priority for his organization.

The high end figure is unlikely. This is still a key season for Johnson and the Hawks on many levels.

Rookie extensions a mixed bag for Hawks

Kevin Huerter has already been traded and De'Andre Hunter and even Young have been mired in speculation since inking their long-term pacts.

The Hawks did the same with John Collins before them and Murray signed a four-year, $114 million contract in 2023 just to be traded in 2024. And there is a chance Johnson’s price tag is even higher than Marks’ suggested offer.

Marks believes there is a chance that neither side will be “willing to sacrifice.”

“Going off 2023-24 alone, Johnson … should have received the maximum five-year, $224 million extension at the start of free agency,” Marks wrote. 

“Last season, Johnson nearly tripled his points per game to 16.0, the second-largest jump among those to play at least 50 games in each season, trailing only the Nets' Cam Thomas. In the 26 games Johnson missed last season, Atlanta went 9-17.”

In that respect, Johnson made his snub from ESPN’s top 100 players list for 2024-25 look silly.

However, the Hawks have strong ground to stand on at the negotiating table when the two sides eventually convene.

“The counterargument: The 2023-24 season was too small of a sample to reward Johnson with a lucrative contract,” Marks wrote. “In his first two seasons in Atlanta, Johnson averaged 2.4 and 5.6 points, respectively. He also averaged just 49 games in his first three seasons.”

Johnson has taken steps to improve his durability.

He has delivered on his pre-draft promise as a prospect, and shown the work ethic to continue his ascension. That is great – and potentially costly – news for the Hawks.