The Hawks agreed to a five-year, $150 million rookie scale extension with ahead Jalen Johnson, per NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report. It grew to become official simply moments earlier than the league’s 5 p.m. Central time deadline to achieve such a deal.
Wealthy Paul, Johnson’s agent, sealed the deal, which is absolutely assured, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. For the Hawks, this transfer indicators simply how a lot they consider in Johnson’s trajectory as he steps right into a a lot larger function.
Johnson, who will flip 23 in December, has been steadily climbing in Atlanta’s rotation. Final season, he broke out in an enormous method, placing up 16 factors, 8.7 rebounds, and three.6 assists per sport.
He additionally flashed his defensive versatility with 1.2 steals whereas taking pictures over 51% from the sphere and exhibiting improved vary from deep. Accidents might have lower his season quick, however there’s no query Johnson has NBA All-Star potential.
And with Dejounte Murray out of the image after being traded, Johnson’s function is about to get even larger. He’s already thought-about one of many prime candidates for the Most Improved Participant award, and the Hawks didn’t wish to danger his price ticket going up any additional. Getting this deal accomplished now offers them price certainty shifting ahead — particularly as Johnson’s inventory continues to rise.
At $30 million per yr, Johnson’s extension matches what Jalen Suggs simply acquired from Orlando and places him among the many highest-paid gamers from this offseason’s rookie extensions.
The Hawks are banking on Johnson changing into one in all their cornerstones, together with No. 1 general choose Zaccharie Risacher and Onyeka Okongwu. With Johnson locked in, Atlanta’s focus now shifts to determining if Trae Younger will stay a part of their long-term plans as his personal contract inches nearer to resolution time.
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