Jalen Johnson, the rising star for the Atlanta Hawks, has officially signed a significant five-year, $150 million extension with the team, according to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania. This lucrative deal is fully guaranteed and does not include any player or team options, cementing Johnson’s place in the Hawks’ long-term future.
A Breakout Season for Johnson
Johnson, who was selected 20th overall by the Hawks in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Duke, had a breakout performance in the 2023-2024 season. As a first-time starter, the talented forward averaged 16 points and 8.7 rebounds per game—both career highs—while shooting an impressive 51% from the field. His solid performances last season demonstrated his potential as a key player for Atlanta moving forward.
The Hawks’ Future with Johnson
As the Hawks aim to return to playoff contention, Johnson’s role will be crucial. He’ll be playing alongside star point guard Trae Young and center Clint Capela under the leadership of second-year head coach Quin Snyder. The Hawks finished the previous season with a disappointing 34-46 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The offseason also saw Atlanta make some major moves, including trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for multiple first-round draft picks and players like Larry Nance Jr., E.J. Liddell, and Dyson Daniels.
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With this extension, Johnson joins a list of players from the 2021 NBA Draft class who secured new deals before the Monday deadline. This group includes notable names such as Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets), Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers), Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Moses Moody (Golden State Warriors), and Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans).
Looking Ahead
The Atlanta Hawks are set to kick off their 2024-2025 season on Wednesday, facing off against the Brooklyn Nets. With Johnson locked in for the foreseeable future, fans are eager to see how the young forward continues to elevate his game and help the Hawks climb back into playoff contention.
