As we all saw last Thursday evening, the Atlanta Hawks were decimated by Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies. Bucket after bucket, the Grizzlies mauled the Hawks from the perimeter to the post.
In retrospect, having Cameron Boozer and a 23-year-old Cedric Coward spelled a bad omen for a Hawks team with no Kingston Flemings. Their new lottery pick displayed great flashes during his time on the court, and without him, the offense was in clear disarray. Memphis would defeat the Hawks 96-64, ending all hopes for a championship run in Las Vegas.
Regardless of the disappointing finish, the Hawks still return home with a solid foundation to build on as they enter their rookie seasons.
Their experience brings plenty of value
It all starts with the most talented of the bunch, Kingston Flemings and his litany of promising abilities. He showcased incredible decision-making to still be a teenager.
While playing Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz, Flemings shot 1-7 in the first half. However, his persistence was the catalyst for a great performance in the second half including a clutch shot at the end of the game. He finished with 14 points and nine assists with only one turnover.
In one game, he showcased his clutch gene, resilience, and vision. All three of the characteristics are vital to become a starting point guard in today’s NBA. There’s no telling where the Hawks will finish with their new roster, but what’s for certain is the impact Flemings will make off the bench.
If he’s able to run through the proverbial brick wall that hits all rookies, he could emerge as the sixth-man or maybe even start. The same can’t be said for teammates Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar. Nonetheless, both displayed skills that will benefit Atlanta’s bench next season.
Veesar should have strong impact in year one
The Hawks have longed for a seven-footer for years and they finally have one under contract for four years. During the Summer League, the 22-year-old showcased a durable body as he banged down low in the post.
It was an encouraging sight given his slim 227-pound frame. His competitiveness will offset his inexperience when facing superior centers in the post. This is what the Hawks needed the most heading into the offseason.
Veesaar’s three-point shooting is also going to play a massive role in Quin Snyder’s rotation. We saw Onyeka Okongwu develop a jump shot and become one of the best three-point-shooting bigs in the league.
Now having two backup centers, including Jock Landale, the Hawks can run a five-out lineup at any time. Veesaar stole the show when he shot 7-12 from the field and 4-6 from three against the Boston Celtics.
This performance put his potential on full display, and he can replicate it in a smaller sample size during the 2026-27 regular season. Having a roster this versatile creates endless opportunities, and even Zuby Ejiofor showcased a promising offense during their time in Las Vegas.
Zuby Ejiofor has incredible athleticism
His three-point shooting was one of the biggest revelations this summer. Scouts saw flashes of his shooting stroke during his senior year at St John's, but making several three pointers against the Oklahoma City Thunder was very encouraging.
He finished the game with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Six of the 15 rebounds were offensive, and this is most important skillset for Ejiofor heading into year one. His underrated passing ability will work wonders with his ability to secure second chance points.
The Hawks five-out line up will thrive having a 6’8 245-pound power forward in the post passing out to shooters like Veesaar, Okongwu, Landale and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. We can also see Ejiofor get in on the action as well when commencing a pick-and-roll with Kingston Flemings.
On the other hand, he’ll have to improve his defense like any other rookie. He has the build to become a solid defender and he showcased his defensive prowess while in college.
As he acclimates to NBA-caliber offenses, Ejiofor will provide an immediate impact with his rebounding and athleticism. Combine these two with a couple of threes a game, and he’ll become the backup four behind Jalen Johnson as he acclimates to NBA-caliber offenses, especially now that Jonathan Kuminga has one foot out the door.
Summer league was filled with great highs and embarrassing lows. Regardless, we’ve seen enough to know that the three new Hawks are all talented in their own right.
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