Hawks rumors: Rival executives keeping close watch on Jalen Johnson

This is a big year for Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson.

The No. 20 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, Johnson has gone from a talented but enigmatic prospect to a rising star in three years. And he could be in for a breakout campaign as the Hawks’ second most important player behind three-time All-Star Trae Young.

That could lead to an even bigger payday for Johnson, who is headed for restricted free agency after the 2024-25 season unless he and the Hawks can agree on an extension.

If not, expect a lot of chatter to emerge around Johnson, futile as it may be.

“In asking several competing executives about the 2021 draft class, Jalen Johnson's name came up as one they're watching closely, with his combination of size (6'9") and skill,” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus wrote on August 30. “The Atlanta Hawks are expected, however, to retain him.”

Johnson's looming restricted free agency status means the Hawks have the right of first refusal on any offer sheet Johnson might sign, assuming they at least extend him a qualifying offer.

The deadline to agree on an extension is in late October.

Offering San Antonio Spurs wing Devin Vassell (five years, $135 million) and Jaden McDaniels (five years, $131 million) of the Minnesota Timberwolves as comps, Pincus notes the expectation in March was that Johnson “could fight for” an annual salary worth $25 to $30 million.

“Current expectation: Competing executives suggested he could end up even higher,” Pincus wrote.

That fits with previous reports about Johnson’s contract expectations.

Insider warns Hawks over Jalen Johnson contract extension

“[A max contract extension], according to my information, is what Jalen Johnson is hoping for with the Hawks in his extension, and what Klutch Sports should be asking for as well. That's just what good agenting is,” Fischer said on the “No Cap Room” podcast on August 7.

“The Hawks made basically everyone available for trade since February besides him. So, of course, you're going to be thinking, ‘Well, then pay me that way.’ But the guy has had his own injury history, hasn't put together a full season yet. For all the promise that made me want to fly down to Atlanta and profile him … it's going to be a prove-it year in terms of dollar figure for him as well.”

Johnson averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in 2023-24, starting 52 of his 56 appearances.

He was a Most Improved Player candidate before injuries interrupted his campaign.

“Jalen Johnson has been their third best player this year behind Trae Young and Dejounte Murray,” an anonymous rival executive said, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype on November 29.

Johnson was boasting a 14.1/7.3/2.4 line with 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks through 15 games (12 starts) at the time but was sidelined with a wrist injury suffered versus the Washington Wizards.

He returned from a 14-game absence to post a 16.4/9.3/3.9 line in 33 games, all starts.

But an ankle injury that would prove to be nagging interrupted that, keeping Johnson out of 12 of the Hawks’ final 20 regular season games. Johnson averaged 18.0 points, 9.3 boards, 4.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in the games he was active during that span.

Most encouragingly, Johnson shot 42.5% over his first 15 games of the season and 38.3% from beyond the arc over his final 14 appearances.

He also shot 34.3% over 23 games from December 29 to February 10.

His 2023-24 woes aside, Johnson was mostly durable in 2022-23. He appeared in 70 games, starting six and missing seven games with hamstring and groin issues in his longest absence of the campaign.

He was sparsely used even when healthy as a rookie under former head coach Nate McMillan in 2021-22.

Johnson could certainly build off his 2023-24 numbers, bolstering his negotiating power.