Reported by multiple outlets, the Atlanta Hawks exercised the contract option’s on two of their young-wing players, Jalen Johnson & A.J. Griffin. Official terms of the agreements were not disclosed, per team policy.
Johnson, with the departure of John Collins, is poised to have a big season for the Hawks. The former-20th overall selection from the 2021 NBA Draft, will most likely hold down the power forward spot this season. Johnson has career-averages of 4.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and .9 assists per game, in his first two seasons as a Hawk, expect those to balloon with regular playing time.
Griffin was selected a year after Johnson with the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Griffin made an immediate impact as a rookie, appearing in 72 games last season with averages of 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. He shot an impressive 46.5% from the field and 39% from three. Look for him to be a key rotational piece, and potentially flirt with a starting role.
