Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Kingston Flemings each have a realistic path to major NBA recognition for the Atlanta Hawks in 2026-27.
The Atlanta Hawks have plenty of talent. There are multiple players on this team who could earn All-NBA designations at the end of the 2026-27 season.
That's not to say the All-NBA Teams specifically — although there's one candidate for that honor on this list. Whether it's All-Defense or All-Rookie, the Hawks have a surplus of guys who can realistically hope to see their names on end-of-year lists.
Here are three of them.
Dyson Daniels, All-Defensive First Team
Daniels has earned two consecutive All-Defensive selections. Can he get back to the first team?
It's a difficult question. What more can Daniels do?
In 2024-25, he led the NBA in steals per game at 3.0 per contest and made the All-Defensive First Team. Last year, that number slipped to 2.0, and Daniels landed on the Second Team.
He's as good a team defender as there is in the league, but perhaps Daniels could take another step forward as a man defender. He's already strong in that area, but if he clearly establishes himself as one of the league's best there, he could make the first team again.
It'd be a feather in his cap.
Kingston Flemings, All-Rookie Team
Flemings was the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. So, in theory, he should be one of the 10 best rookies in the NBA this year.
In practice, it seldom works out that way.
There will be draft steals and draft busts. There will also be players who struggle as rookies, only to elevate their games in the coming seasons. As of now, nobody knows what the future holds for Flemings.
For now? There are concerns about whether Flemings will be able to score as a rookie.
Even if he can't, it's possible that his passing chops and high-end defense can earn him a spot on one of the two All-Rookie teams. Even the second team would be a satisfactory outcome for Flemings.
Jalen Johnson, All-NBA First Team
Last year, Johnson made the All-NBA Third Team. That was quite the honor for the former 20th overall pick.
Now, it's time to take another step forward.
A first-team selection is within reach for Johnson. The easiest route would likely be to improve his 3-point shooting. Otherwise, a broader increase in production across the board could get Johnson there.
More wins for the Hawks would also contribute to his case.
He certainly has the talent. Johnson is a dynamic athlete with outstanding passing chops for his position.
He's the Hawks' franchise player:
And given their level of talent, that's saying something.
