Young sought a new path, paving the way for Johnson to embrace his role as the Hawks' new cornerstone and leader.
When a franchise pivots from an established All-NBA guard in his prime to a rising forward as its new focal point, turbulence is typically part of the transition. For Jalen Johnson, though, the shift in Atlanta has not come with resentment.
Instead, the emerging face of the Atlanta Hawks has been deliberate in expressing appreciation for four-time All-Star Trae Young, who was dealt to the Washington Wizards at the 2026 midseason trade window.
After “Ice Trae” powered Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, internal and external expectations accelerated. Sustained postseason success never materialized in the seasons that followed, and conversations about the franchise’s direction grew louder with each early exit.
During that same stretch, Johnson’s development reshaped the organizational calculus. He progressed from averaging 2.4 points per game as a rookie to producing 23.5 points per game in the 2025-26 season, establishing himself as a primary offensive option and two-way anchor. The steady rise gave Atlanta confidence that it could recalibrate around a different timeline.
Ultimately, the Hawks made the defining decision to move Young, signaling a formal shift toward Johnson as the centerpiece.
Despite the magnitude of the change, Johnson has been measured in how he discusses his former teammate. He consistently credits Young for mentorship, leadership and the day-to-day guidance that helped accelerate his growth. In Johnson’s view, Young’s willingness to answer questions and share experience eased his transition into the league and sharpened his understanding of pace, spacing and decision-making.
Reflecting on the trade and their shared tenure, Johnson acknowledged that the writing had been on the wall.
“I mean, I was happy for him,” Johnson said. “It was something we were kind of expecting because he asked out. But it was always good having Trae around.”
He then emphasized the personal impact Young had on him early in his career.
“I was grateful to be his teammate. We had great years together,” Johnson said. “When I first came into the league, Trae was a good leader. He always had advice whenever I had questions. He was an easy person to talk to.”
Since that 2021 breakthrough, Atlanta has not advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. The current roster features a blend of developing talent and established contributors, but the long-term trajectory now hinges on Johnson’s ability to handle primary responsibilities — both as a scorer and as a locker-room tone-setter.
Entering the stretch run of the season, the Hawks sit 10th in the Eastern Conference. Climbing the standings will require sustained consistency, defensive connectivity and late-game execution — areas that naturally fall under the domain of a franchise leader.
The organization has made its bet. The Young era defined a chapter of unexpected ascent and unmet expectations. The Johnson era now carries a different mandate: stability, internal growth and a recalibrated identity.
Whether that translates into another deep postseason run remains uncertain. What is clear is that Johnson has embraced the role without diminishing the player who preceded him — a transition marked less by friction and more by professional respect.