LeBron James likens Jalen Johnson to Scottie Pippen, highlighting his elite athleticism and defensive versatility as the Hawks embrace a new era.
The Atlanta Hawks closed the book on the Trae Young era Wednesday night, committing to a future built around Jalen Johnson and betting that his rise can take the franchise somewhere it never fully reached before.
The decision came with striking external validation from one of the most influential voices the league has ever known. On a recent episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast, LeBron James offered an assessment of Johnson that immediately reframed how the 24-year-old forward is being viewed across the league.
James was responding to a question from his co-host, Steve Nash, about Johnson’s long-term ceiling and what kind of player he could ultimately become.
“I’ve mentioned Scottie Pippen, man,” James said.
James then laid out why the comparison resonated with him, focusing less on accolades and more on physical tools and on-court versatility.
“Obviously, he has a long way to go, but as far as the talent,” James said. “You look at a guy with long arms, 6-(foot)-9 (or) 6-10, runs like a deer, super athletic. He’s improved his outside touch.”
James continued by pointing to the parts of Johnson’s game that are hardest to teach.
“Putting pressure on the rim. His ability to rebound. He can guard (positions) one through five for the majority of (opposing) ones and fives,” James said. “And his playmaking. I see that he is going to continue to improve.”
The comparison naturally invites historical weight. Scottie Pippen was a six-time NBA champion, a Hall of Famer, and one of the most complete two-way players the league has ever seen. Johnson, by contrast, has yet to make an All-Star team and is only now experiencing his first extended stretch as a featured offensive option.
Still, the production suggests something meaningful is happening. Before Wednesday’s game, Johnson was averaging 23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists. Only Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP, has matched or exceeded those thresholds this season.
Johnson’s career arc makes the leap even more notable. He has appeared in just 219 NBA games and has started fewer than 60% of them. Injuries slowed his development over the past two seasons, including shoulder surgery for a torn labrum a year ago. This season marked the first time he returned healthy with a defined role and consistent responsibility.
With Young sidelined for most of the season before being traded, Johnson became the offensive hub almost by necessity. The Hawks discovered they had something different — a big wing who could initiate offense, finish in transition, rebound at an elite level, and defend across positions. That versatility made the organizational pivot away from Young, an undersized guard with growing defensive limitations, more palatable.
Johnson acknowledged earlier this week that he sees no ceiling on what he can become.
“For sure,” Johnson said Wednesday, before the trade was finalized. “I just try to be the best player and best person I can be every day.”
He emphasized consistency over comparison.
“I just try to get better each and every day,” Johnson said. “And if you’re consistent with your work and consistent with everything else, I just believe everything is going to take care of itself.”
There are still growth areas. Johnson’s handle can tighten, and his focus as a team defender can drift. His turnover rate is among the highest for primary offensive engines, a byproduct of increased responsibility and defensive attention. Those are familiar growing pains for players adjusting to being the centerpiece rather than a complementary piece.
Nash framed that adjustment as a necessary stage rather than a red flag.
“I think he’s playing at an All-Star level,” Nash said. “And I think, with some (good) health, I think he’s a perennial All-Star. Because this is the first year he’s had this much responsibility.”
James echoed that sentiment, pointing to opportunity as the league’s great accelerant.
“One thing about our league, it’s all about confidence and opportunity,” James said. “Once you take advantage of that opportunity and your confidence continues to grow, you are like, ‘I know I can do this every night.’”
Johnson has already done it nightly. In December, he averaged 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 10.1 assists, becoming just the seventh player in NBA history to post a 25-point triple-double average over a month.
Whether Johnson reaches Pippen’s historical stature remains unknowable. What is clear is that Atlanta has found its new foundation. With Young gone, the Hawks are no longer searching for an identity. They have one — and it looks increasingly like Johnson’s team.