The Atlanta Hawks took Kingston Flemings with the No. 8 pick in this year's draft. He showed off his diverse skill set on both ends of the floor in the summer league. Flemings organized the offense in the pick-and-roll, avoided unnecessary turnovers, and utilized his great hands defensively to disrupt the opposition.
Now that summer league has come and gone, the next time Flemings will take part in an official practice will be with the main squad. Atlanta possesses the perfect practice environment for his development.
The 19-year-old will face off against three top defenders in the association: Luguentz Dort, Dyson Daniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Each has his own standout skill to teach Flemings the hard way and set him up for a long, successful professional career.
Dort brings unrivaled defensive intensity to Atlanta
The Hawks officially traded Zaccharie Risacher for Dort in a three-team deal on July 19. Dort comes to Atlanta after spending seven seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He won the 2025 NBA championship, finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earning First Team All-Defense honors. Dort now brings his championship experience andhard-nosed, aggressive defense to Atlanta.
Dort is listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, but he plays much bigger than his measurements suggest. He also possesses the lateral quickness and fast hands to bother ball handlers anywhere on the court. This matchup creates a great challenge for Flemings, as the rookie relies on his lightning-quick speed to get around his defenders. Dort is not going to let Flemings blow by him easily.
One of the questions surrounding Flemings is playing against more physical, stronger opponents at the next level. Dort certainly fits this mold. The 19-year-old guard will do his best to avoid the Dorture Chamber in practice, and this experience will prepare him well for the real competition.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is one of the best screen navigators in the NBA
Alexander-Walker took home the 2025-26 Most Improved Player Award in his first season with the Hawks. He increased his scoring to a career-high 20.8 points per game and never lost the defensive tools that netted him a consistent NBA role.
Alexander-Walker is one of the league's premier screen navigators. He rarely gives ball handlers the space to shoot or the opportunity to turn the corner and slash to the rim. Flemings showed poise in the halfcourt and pick-and-roll at the summer league, adjusting speeds well to put his defender in "jail", find an open teammate, or create space for a drive or jump shot.
This ability will certainly be tested against Alexander-Walker in practice.
Kingston Flemings cannot be loose with the ball around Dyson Daniels
Daniels has racked up defensive accolades over the last two campaigns. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024-25 and earned First Team All-Defense honors. The 6-foot-7 guard also finished Second Team All-Defense last season.
Perhaps Daniels' best defensive attribute is his ability to generate steals, both on and off the ball, to create transition opportunities for Atlanta.
Flemings displayed a strong handle at the summer league, but it will be tested to the maximum against Daniels in practice. Ball handlers can never be too careful around Daniels, as he often finds ways to poke the ball loose. He punishes opponents with steals in the passing lanes, which ignite the Hawks' fast-paced offense.
Flemings racked up assists in the summer league and limited his turnovers. Through the first three games, he had 23 dimes compared to just three turnovers. However, matching up against Daniels in practice will test his poise and decision-making.
Flemings will undoubtedly be ready to face NBA defenses after playing against Dort, Alexander-Walker, and Daniels in intra-squad play.
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