Trae Younger has excessive hopes for his teammate Jalen Johnson.
The Atlanta Hawks enter the season with among the highest expectations they confronted beneath Trae Younger’s management. Many imagine they’ll compete in a weakened Japanese Convention after an unbelievable offseason.
The Hawks have added Kristaps Porzingis to one of the vital vital strikes of the energetic offseason, demonstrating their want to win now. Nevertheless, Younger stated that crucial piece for the puzzle isn’t a brand new addition.
He stated Jalen Johnson, now a fifth-year hawk, was key to their success, setting excessive expectations for his teammates earlier than the season.
Younger, the four-time All-Star himself, stated Johnson is planning to look in his first All-Star Sport this season. He defined that if Johnson hadn’t been injured on the finish of the season, he would have already completed this.
Talking in regards to the Membership 520 podcast, Younger stated: “We had been within the prime 5 within the East earlier than he obtained injured, and many individuals don’t perceive that.
“We might even see how we completed the season, however Jalen missed over 45 video games. He was on the All-Star degree final yr.
“If he is wholesome, he’ll have his first All-Star this yr, we’ll have a successful season, and every part’s good. I am excited.”
Johnson solely performed 36 video games final season, however averaged a double double of 19 factors earlier than a season-ending shoulder harm. He had a mean profession excessive in factors, rebounds and assists earlier than his harm.
He is among the key items that generates Hawks hype earlier than the season. Along with new additions from help chief Younger final season, defensive Phenom Dyson Daniels, Porzingis and Nickaire Alexander Walker, Johnson is predicted to guide Atlanta into a brand new period.
The Hawks are hesitant to pay youthful this summer time, resulting in rigidity between the events. Younger was pissed off with the Hawks as he performed a pivotal function in bringing Luke Kennard and Alexander Walker to Atlanta.
He has been the staff chief since 2018 and took the Hawks to the Japanese Convention Finals in 2021. However forward of essentially the most anticipated season of Younger’s profession, Johnson is projected to be his finest participant within the coming years.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report wrote: “If Johnson is an elite defender, a rebounder (10 or extra rebounds per sport) and a very good scorer (20+ factors per sport), then there’s an argument that he’s one of the best participant within the 2025-26 Hawks.
“Tree should beat him due to his offensive gravity, however in honor, there isn’t any extra world than a defensive impartial presence. The chance that Johnson provides to protection is vital for each his future and for the Hawks’ subsequent season.”
Younger is participating within the debate that he’s the league’s finest playmaker. He led the NBA in Assists with 11.6 per sport final season, scoring double-digit help averages over the previous three seasons.
Nevertheless, his defensive capabilities stand at 6’1″ and lift questions on his capacity to guide his staff to the championship. So Johnson has an edge over his star teammates.
If Johnson breaks out within the All-Star season in 2026, it may give the Hawks all of the encouragement they should transfer from younger folks to a brand new period of basketball in Atlanta.
