In a stunning move that sent shockwaves through the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a gargantuan five-year, $150 million rookie contract extension with forward Jalen Johnson, according to sources close to the situation. The 20th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Duke University, Johnson’s meteoric rise from unproven prospect to franchise cornerstone has been nothing short of remarkable.
From Bench Warmer to Breakout Star
Johnson’s journey to this mammoth payday was far from conventional. In his first two seasons, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged a mere 5.5 and 14.9 minutes per game, respectively, leaving many wondering if the Hawks had missed the mark with their first-round selection. However, Johnson’s third year saw him explode onto the scene, posting averages of 16 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers per contest.
This statistical leap was nearly unprecedented, with Johnson’s scoring average skyrocketing from 5.6 points in 2022-23 to 16 points this past season—the second-largest increase among players who appeared in at least 50 games. Only Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas experienced a more dramatic uptick in production.
A Rare Breed of Versatility
What makes Johnson such an intriguing talent is his unique blend of size, skill, and athleticism. At 6’9″ and 220 pounds, he possesses the frame to bang with bigger forwards in the paint while also boasting the agility to defend perimeter players. This versatility is perhaps most evident in transition, where Johnson’s 66% shooting ranked eighth-best among players with at least 120 attempts, per advanced tracking data.
Jalen is a special talent, the kind of player every team dreams of having. His ability to impact the game in so many ways at both ends of the floor is truly rare. We believe he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.
– A source close to the Hawks organization
Joining an Elite Club
With this extension, Johnson becomes just the sixth player in NBA history to average at least 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 three-pointer per game in a season before turning 23 years old. The other members of this exclusive group? LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Ben Simmons, and Lamar Odom—not bad company for a player who was largely an afterthought just a year ago.
- LeBron James: 4 times (age 20-23)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: 2 times (age 22-23)
- Luka Doncic: 2 times (age 20-21)
- Ben Simmons: 1 time (age 22)
- Lamar Odom: 1 time (age 22)
A Franchise-Altering Investment
For the Hawks, this extension represents a massive bet on Johnson’s future as the face of the franchise. At $150 million over five years, it’s a deal that will have ripple effects on everything from roster construction to fan expectations. However, if Johnson’s trajectory continues on its current path, it may well prove to be a bargain when all is said and done.
The NBA is a league that rewards potential as much as production, and in Jalen Johnson, the Hawks believe they have a talent whose best days are firmly ahead of him. Only time will tell if this record-breaking extension will be remembered as a stroke of genius or a cautionary tale, but one thing is certain: the basketball world will be watching with bated breath to see what the young star does next.
