Atlanta’s depth leaves Jalen Johnson with a tougher closing assignment

Jalen Johnson’s next step sits at the center of Atlanta’s closing question. Yahoo Sports analyst Kevin O’Connor argues that a deeper Hawks roster still needs someone who can create a basket after a playoff defense takes away its preferred options.

O’Connor reports that Atlanta finished last in isolation scoring last season. Citing Synergy Sports, he places Johnson, CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker below the 50th percentile in isolation efficiency.

His example is the first-round series against New York. McCollum made the go-ahead baskets in Atlanta’s two wins, but Josh Hart’s defensive assignment helped limit him over the final three games. O’Connor sees Johnson’s ability to initiate offense as the clearest potential answer, with his shooting and individual creation still needing development.

That is an assessment of the roster’s remaining weakness, rather than a result the coming season has established.

The NBA’s media-day reporting provides the wider context. Johnson became a first-time All-Star last season, averaging more than 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Atlanta won 46 games and went 20-6 after the All-Star break, then lost to the Knicks after taking a 2-1 series lead.

Johnson acknowledged that the playoff film was difficult to watch. The experience gives him a specific challenge as he enters his sixth season: bringing his regular-season production into the possessions that decide a series.

Atlanta has also added Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, both members of Oklahoma City’s 2025 championship team. Dort joins Dyson Daniels and Alexander-Walker in a strong group of perimeter defenders. Coach Quin Snyder can draw on a rotation of nine or ten players, according to the NBA report.

The frontcourt remains less settled. Second-round pick Henri Veesaar suffered a season-ending knee injury during offseason workouts, leaving Onyeka Okongwu to handle most of the center minutes. Snyder emphasized keeping opponents away from the paint as another way to protect the rim.

Together, the two reports identify a team with several ways to compete and a narrower question to answer late in games. Johnson’s development will help determine how the new pieces fit when Atlanta needs its next basket.