LeBron James Crowns This $150 Million Star as Modern Day Scottie Pippen

LeBron James compared an Atlanta Hawks' forward to Scottie Pippen.

LeBron James Crowns This $150 Million Star as Modern Day Scottie Pippen

Jalen Johnson (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks have hit a bit of a roadblock when it comes to winning. The Hawks suffered another 118-100 blowout loss to the Toronto Raptors in back-to-back games at the Scotiabank Arena on Monday night. It was another disappointing loss for the Hawks, who have lost all four of their games to the Raptors this season.

It was the Hawks’ eighth loss in ten games after a strong start to the 2025-26 campaign. They currently find themselves in tenth place, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks, in the Eastern Conference standings with a 17-21 record, while the Raptors, one of the surprises of the season, sit at fourth with a 22-15 record.

It appears that Jalen Johnson is finally having his breakout season in the NBA. Johnson was picked as the number 20 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Since then, injuries have taken a toll, cutting his seasons short. Last season, he was one of the leading candidates for the Most Improved Player award, but a shoulder surgery restricted him to just 36 games. But this season, things have finally looked promising for the Hawks’ forward.

One of the main reasons for the Hawks’ strong start to the season is the rise of Johnson. The 24-year-old has taken Trae Young‘s spot as the main man of the franchise at the moment. The forward is currently averaging 23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists and is a strong favorite for the Most Improved Player award this season. Known for his athleticism, the young forward is a versatile defender and has improved his three-point shot and passing this year.

LeBron James has been a fan and a believer of Johnson’s game for a while now. The four-time NBA Champion gave a shout-out to Johnson once again on his Mind the Game podcast with co-host Steve Nash.

As far as talent you look at the long arms, 6’9, runs like a deer. Super athletic, he’s improved his outside touch. His ability to guard 1-5 and his playmaking. I see that he’s going to continue to improve. It’s all about confidence and opportunity. I love his ceiling. I don’t know what his ceiling is but I know it is not low.

Johnson is on track to be an All-Star this season for the first time in his career. But the pressure is on him and his teammates as they try to get out of their mini-slump.

Trae Young’s time with the Atlanta Hawks is over

It looks like Young’s time in Atlanta has run its course, and the finish line is near. The Hawks did not offer Young a supermax contract in the offseason, which definitely played a role in Young’s underpar performances so far this season. The guard is averaging just 19.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists in the ten games he has featured in. It is his lowest points-per-game since his rookie year.

Trae Young Image via Instagram 1
Trae Young (Image via Instagram)

NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on Monday that Young’s agents and the Hawks are negotiating a trade. Check out his tweet below:

It will be interesting to see where Young ends up by the trade deadline. He will find some suitors but it remains to be seen whether a contending team would want to acquire his services because he will be an expensive player to trade for.

Why are the Atlanta Hawks moving on from Trae Young?

Young was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 but was traded to the Hawks in exchange for Luka Doncic. Since then, the 27-year-old has earned four All-Star selections and took the Hawks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, which was their first appearance in six years.

Young missed the first few games of the season, and the Hawks flourished without him. Their poor run of results coincidentally happened when Young returned. While the contract issue may have played a role in Young’s subpar performances, it also showed the Hawks that it may be time to move on from him.

Back in 2021, it was impossible to imagine the Hawks and Young parting ways after their Conference Finals appearance, but unfortunately, the time has come. From being the centerpiece of the franchise to being traded away is a huge fall from grace for the guard.

Former NBA player Jeff Teague spoke about why the Hawks are moving on from Young on his Club 520 podcast.

It’s like ‘Do we pay you 200 million dollars and we never gonna win nothing or do we find some other pieces off of you and build around this other new guy (Jalen Johnson)?’ He was the Hawks’ only bright star over the last seven years and then Jalen Johnson comes who is probably gonna be an All-Star this year. It’s like we got a new star in town.

Young missed the first few games of the season, and the Hawks flourished without him. Their poor run of results coincided with Young’s return. While the contract issue may have played a role in Young’s subpar performances, it also showed the Hawks that it may be time to move on from him.

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