Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on February 3, 2026.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on February 3, 2026. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With every passing day, the 81st NBA season inches closer and closer. With so many moves in both conferences after a historic trade deadline, this year should present many surprises on the hardwood.
So, the Atlanta Hawks have to compete against a rigorous Eastern Conference gauntlet if they want to make the postseason in 2027. The league released the schedule last week, and the Hawks will face superstar talent in four of the first five games of the season.
This means franchise centerpiece, Jalen Johnson, will have to assert his dominance early in the season. His drastic rise in leadership last season increased his responsibility to lead a contender, but how much more can the 24-year-old improve?
Johnson still has plenty of untapped potential
The entire league witnessed his rise to All-Star status in the 72 games he played last year. It was the healthiest he’s ever been, and it’s encouraging given his season-ending injury the season prior.
His able body showcased ferocious athleticism. Johnson is one of the best transition scorers in the league, and he’s a major reason why the Hawks finished second in fast-break points last season.
It’s clear that he has the potential to become a human highlight reel, but the key to a superstar nod is an uptake in isolation scoring. Johnson has posted videos on social media to show fans he is working on a step-back three-pointer and an array of other moves.
Perfecting his outside shot could increase Johnson’s previous average of 22.5 points to 25+. The Hawks will not go far if Jalen can’t become a true No.1 option, and at 6’9, he certainly has the potential.
He has redefined every part of his game, so the Hawks will have a triple-double threat for years to come. If they can rise to the top of the Eastern Conference, there’s no reason why he can’t win Most Valuable Player.
He'll need to finally add a few finishing touches
Johnson has held himself back from becoming a superstar due to a couple of kinks. Firstly, he averaged 3.4 turnovers per game. He met this average in three of his six playoff games last season, and it could follow him into this season as well.
Jalen must meet the NBA's physicality to nullify the turnovers, and everything else on offense will fall into place. He’s already a reliable playmaker and strong rebounder.
The second and most damning part of the game is his defense. It’s natural for a player’s defense to decline as they produce more on offense, but JJ has the potential to play both sides of the ball.
He’s had major defensive highlights with emphatic blocks and steals in the passing lane. His ability to intercept the ball always leads to a one-on-one fast break, a situation Johnson thrives in.
Fans and pundits will be keeping their eyes on these areas this upcoming season. If Johnson can close the holes, his ceiling will be limitless. Now, he has an improved roster to back him up, and his best years are still in front of him.
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