Trae Young has set lofty expectations for teammate Jalen Johnson, which he should have already met.
The Atlanta Hawks enter the season with some of the highest expectations that they have faced under Trae Young’s leadership. Many believe they can contend in a weakened Eastern Conference after an incredible offseason.
The Hawks added Kristaps Porzingis in one of the most significant moves of their active offseason, showing their desire to win now. But Young said that the most critical piece to the puzzle isn’t a new addition.
He said Jalen Johnson, now a fifth-year Hawk, is key to their success, and set lofty expectations for his teammate ahead of the season.
Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesTrae Young thinks Jalen Johnson will be an All-Star in 2026
Young, a four-time All-Star himself, said that Johnson is going to make his first All-Star game appearance this season. He explained that Johnson would have accomplished this already if not for a season-ending injury.
Speaking on the Club 520 Podcast, Young said, “Before he got hurt, we were top five in the East. A lot of people don’t understand that. Things would have been different.
“You may look at the way we ended the season, but Jalen missed 45-plus games. He was on an All-Star level last year.
“I believe if he’s healthy, he’s going to have his first All-Star this year, we’ll have a winning season, and everything will be good. I’m excited.”
Johnson played only 36 games last season, but was averaging a 19-point double-double before a season-ending shoulder injury. He was averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and assists before the injury.
He’s one of the key pieces generating Hawks hype ahead of the season. Alongside last season’s assists leader Young, defensive phenom Dyson Daniels, and the new additions of Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Johnson has been predicted to bring Atlanta into a new era.
Jalen Johnson predicted to overtake Trae Young as the Atlanta Hawks’ best player
The Hawks have been hesitant to pay Young this summer, leading to tensions between the two parties. Young has grown frustrated with the Hawks, as he played a pivotal role in bringing Luke Kennard and Alexander-Walker to Atlanta.
He has been the leader of the team since 2018, and took the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. But ahead of the most anticipated season of Young’s career, Johnson has been predicted to be their best player in the years to come.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes wrote, “If Johnson is an elite defender and rebounder (10+ rebounds per game) while being a great passer (6+ assists per game) and good scorer (20+ points per game), he’d have an argument for being the best player on the 2025-26 Hawks due to all-around impact.
“Trae might still have him beat due to his offensive gravity, but respectfully, there isn’t a world where he’s more than a neutral presence on defense. The potential for Johnson to be additive on defense is critical for both his future and the Hawks’ ceiling next season.”
Young is in the discussion for being the league’s best playmaker. He led the NBA in assists last season with 11.6 per game, and has logged double-digit assist averages in his last three seasons.
However, his ability on defense, standing at 6’1”, raises questions about his ability to lead a team to a championship. That’s where Johnson has the edge over his star teammate.
If Johnson breaks out with an All-Star season in 2026, that could give the Hawks all the encouragement they need to move on from Young and move into a new era of basketball in Atlanta.