Jalen Johnson’s rising profile within the Atlanta Hawks organization raises an intriguing question about the team’s future: could he surpass Trae Young as the franchise’s top player by the 2025-26 season? Currently ranked with an overall rating of 81 in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA 2K, Johnson is recognized for his uncommon combination of skills at just 23 years old. As the Hawks plan ahead, Johnson’s development stands as a critical factor in shaping the team’s trajectory, especially given Trae Young’s established role as one of the league’s premier offensive talents.
Jalen Johnson’s Current Standing and Unique Skill Set
In NBA 2K rankings, Jalen Johnson holds an 81 overall rating, tying him with players such as Bobby Portis, Immanuel Quickley, Paul George, and Alex Sar. Despite this ranking, many teams would prefer to have Johnson over those players, reflecting his potential value on the court. As a versatile forward, Johnson stands out not just for scoring but also for his ability to pass and defend, which makes him a valuable secondary option for the Hawks.
This recognition is not meant to diminish Trae Young’s contributions; Young remains one of the NBA’s top offensive playmakers, leading the league in assists and serving as a central figure in the Hawks’ offense. His capacity to create scoring opportunities for himself and others makes him incredibly difficult to replace. Yet, Johnson’s skillset offers a rare blend: a power forward who can shoot, defend effectively, and handle the ball while facilitating for teammates—a combination that is difficult to find at any level.
Significant Progress in Johnson’s Second Season
During the 2024-25 season, Johnson demonstrated considerable growth across multiple facets of his game. In 36 games, he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, maintaining an efficient 56% true shooting percentage. Among forwards, he was one of only nine players to average at least 5 assists per game, ranking in the 89th percentile for assist rate relative to his position.
Although turnovers were a concern—his turnover percentage ranked in the 9th percentile—Johnson still distinguished himself by combining playmaking with controlled ball handling. He was among just seven wings to average 5+ assists while limiting turnovers to under three per game. Notably, he ranked fourth among forwards for rim assists, showcasing his aptitude for threading passes to teammates cutting toward the basket.
Johnson’s potential to elevate his passing numbers is promising. He ranked in the 90th percentile for potential assists, indicating many passes he made would have counted as assists if converted by teammates. Surrounded by shooters like Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Johnson could realistically boost his assist average to around six per game, an accomplishment that would position him just behind all-time great passers such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James when comparing passing forwards.
Assessing Johnson’s Overall Impact on the Hawks
Critics might argue that Johnson’s statistics stem from a limited sample size, comparing him unfavorably to players such as RJ Barrett, known for producing misleading metrics. However, Johnson’s on-off court net rating (+3.5) and overall net rating (1.6) illustrate his positive effect on the Hawks’ performance, unlike Barrett’s negative net rating of -1.9. When Johnson is on the floor, Atlanta’s competitiveness improves, signaling his all-around influence.
Offensively, Johnson uses his athleticism to attack the rim aggressively, taking 6.8 shots at the basket per game, a mark in the 98th percentile for forwards. While his mid-range shooting requires refinement—he shot just 37.2% on 4.6 attempts per game, ranking in the 31st percentile for accuracy—improvements in this area could help him grow into a true three-level scorer. Achieving this would substantially strengthen his case as the best player on the Hawks in the near future.
Rebounding remains a particular strength for Johnson. Last season, his total rebound percentage climbed to a career-high 15.3%, including 1.3 offensive rebounds per game, placing him in the 89th percentile among forwards. He excelled defensively with a staggering defensive rebound rate of 21.4%, ranking him second only to Giannis on all forwards last season. Although sustaining such elite rebounding numbers over a full season will be challenging, this proficiency underscores his value on the defensive glass.
Defensive Growth and Future Potential
Johnson’s defense has improved steadily but has yet to reach an elite status. Playing alongside rim protector Kristaps Porzingis and complementary defenders such as Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Zaccharie Risacher should support his continued defensive development. Johnson sometimes appeared overburdened on defense but with this level of support, he is better positioned to emerge as a reliable help defender.
If Johnson can evolve into a player who averages over 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game while scoring more than 20 points and maintaining strong defense, he could feasibly challenge Trae Young as the team’s leading figure. Trae’s offensive creativity and scoring remain elite, but Johnson’s defensive presence might prove crucial for Atlanta’s overall success. Notably, Trae Young does not contribute significantly on defense, so Johnson’s potential impact there could create a meaningful team advantage.
Statistical trends reinforce Johnson’s defensive progress from the previous season. He improved his secondary rim protection, saving 1.1 points per 100 possessions, up from 0.4, ranking him in the 85th percentile. Opponents shot 7% worse at the rim due to his presence, a mark in the 82nd percentile. Additionally, his steals per game rose to 2.0, placing him in the 82nd percentile. Most impressive was his enhanced perimeter defense, particularly his improved effectiveness at contesting shots on closeouts, where opponents shot 3.8% worse—a significant jump to the 91st percentile.
Implications for the Hawks’ Future
Given Johnson’s ongoing development, the prospect of him being the Atlanta Hawks’ best player by 2025-26 is reasonable, assuming he remains healthy and continues refining his game. His rare skill combination, including playmaking, scoring, rebounding, and defense, provides a more balanced impact than the primarily offense-focused Trae Young. Should Johnson realize his potential, he could not only complement Young but also potentially assume the mantle of the franchise’s cornerstone if Young departs after the next season.
Such a transition would alter the Hawks’ strategic planning and team dynamics, offering a broader foundation for success. Though Trae Young remains an elite offensive force, Johnson’s versatility and defensive presence may ultimately define the team’s identity moving forward. The Hawks’ ability to build around Johnson’s strengths could elevate their ceiling in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.