--- title: "Flemings joins Johnson: Hawks draft traditional PG to unlock playmaking" description: "Atlanta adds a true floor general in Kingston Flemings, pairing him with Jalen Johnson to fuel a guard-driven offense that could change the Hawks' ceiling." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/jalen-johnson-another-ball-handler-joining-up-0365bdc8 published: 2026-06-30T09:46:48.334+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T09:46:48.334+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Flemings joins Johnson: Hawks draft traditional PG to unlock playmaking > Atlanta adds a true floor general in Kingston Flemings, pairing him with Jalen Johnson to fuel a guard-driven offense that could change the Hawks' ceiling. The Atlanta Hawks drafted Kingston Flemings with the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, pairing him with Jalen Johnson to form a dual-point guard core. Flemings, a traditional floor general out of Michigan State, brings elite playmaking, floor control, and a steady hand to a backcourt that now features Johnson, a versatile wing with primary ball-handling chops. The selection signals Atlanta’s intent to lean into a guard-heavy, playmaking identity, leveraging Johnson’s size and skill as a secondary creator while Flemings operates as the primary facilitator. The Hawks’ front office emphasized chemistry and positional flexibility in the pick, targeting a backcourt that can elevate spacing and decision-making across half-court sets. The move comes after Johnson’s 2025–26 season, where he averaged 18.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game while playing as a de facto point forward. His playmaking numbers spiked when he initiated offense, but the Hawks lacked a dedicated traditional point guard to optimize those touches. Flemings, a 6’2” guard with a 6’7” wingspan, shot 42% from three in his final college season and posted a 3.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, traits that could mitigate Johnson’s occasional turnover‑prone stretches. Trae Young, the Hawks’ primary ball‑handler since 2021, remains the franchise’s lead guard, but the addition of Flemings and the continued development of Johnson suggest Atlanta is building a rotation that can deploy multiple playmakers simultaneously. Head coach Quin Snyder has experimented with lineups featuring Young, Johnson, and now Flemings, testing combinations that prioritize spacing and secondary playmaking. Analysts note that the Hawks’ new backcourt could force opponents to defend three distinct ball‑handling threats, stretching traditional defensive schemes. With Young’s deep‑range shooting, Johnson’s size and ability to attack the rim, and Flemings’ precision passing, Atlanta can fluidly shift between pick‑and‑roll, high‑post, and perimeter‑driven sets, creating mismatches that were previously unavailable. The versatility of this trio means defenses can no longer key in on a single playmaker, as each guard brings a unique skill set that can exploit defensive weaknesses. The Hawks’ front office has also framed this draft as a long-term investment in offensive versatility. By drafting Flemings, they’re not just adding a traditional point guard—they’re acquiring a player who can elevate the entire system. His ability to run offense, make the right reads, and shoot from deep gives Atlanta another layer to their attack, one that could become even more potent as Johnson and Young continue to refine their roles within the offense. “This draft was about adding a player who can complement Jalen’s versatility,” said Hawks GM Landry Fields. “Kingston’s ability to run offense, make the right reads, and shoot from deep gives us another layer to our attack." From a contract standpoint, Flemings will sign a rookie scale deal that offers cap flexibility, allowing the Hawks to retain Young and Johnson on longer‑term extensions without immediate financial strain. The front office hopes the Summer League will accelerate Flemings’ adaptation to the NBA pace, while training camp will reveal how quickly the trio can co‑exist without sacrificing offensive rhythm. What’s next: The Hawks will integrate Flemings into Summer League action, where Johnson is expected to slide into a more off‑ball role. Training camp will determine how the three guards—Young, Johnson, and Flemings—coexist, with Snyder likely to deploy staggered minutes to preserve spacing and playmaking depth. If the chemistry develops quickly, Atlanta could enter the season with a revamped offensive identity that forces opponents to rethink their defensive game plans. ## Why this matters Atlanta’s front office is betting on a guard‑driven offense to elevate its ceiling. By drafting a traditional point guard in Flemings, the Hawks are acknowledging Johnson’s playmaking upside while addressing a longstanding need for a true floor general. The move could unlock Johnson’s potential as a primary creator, diversify the Hawks’ offensive sets, and reduce reliance on Trae Young as the sole playmaker. If the chemistry clicks, Atlanta could emerge as a top‑tier offensive team capable of exploiting mismatches with multiple ball‑handlers on the floor at once. The addition of Flemings also provides a safety net for Young, whose durability has been a recurring concern, ensuring the Hawks have multiple high-level facilitators to maintain offensive continuity even if one guard misses time. ## Frequently asked ### Who is Kingston Flemings? Kingston Flemings is a 6’2” point guard from Michigan State, selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He shot 42% from three in his final college season and posted a 3.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. ### How does Flemings fit with Jalen Johnson? Flemings’ traditional point guard role complements Johnson’s versatility as a wing with primary ball‑handling skills. The pairing aims to create a dual‑point guard core that can elevate spacing and decision‑making, with Johnson operating as a secondary creator. ### Will Trae Young still be the primary ball‑handler? Yes. Young remains the Hawks’ lead guard, but the addition of Flemings and Johnson suggests Atlanta is building a rotation that can deploy multiple playmakers simultaneously, with staggered minutes to preserve spacing. ### What are the Hawks’ offensive goals with this backcourt? The Hawks are targeting a more dynamic, guard‑heavy offense that leverages spacing and secondary playmaking. The goal is to reduce reliance on Young as the sole playmaker and unlock Johnson’s potential as a primary creator. ### When will we see Flemings and Johnson play together? The Hawks plan to integrate Flemings into Summer League action, where Johnson is expected to slide into a more off‑ball role. Training camp will determine how the three guards—Young, Johnson, and Flemings—coexist. ### How does this pick impact Trae Young’s role? While Young remains the franchise’s primary ball-handler, Flemings’ arrival provides a high-IQ facilitator who can share the lead guard duties. This could ease Young’s workload, reduce turnover risks, and allow him to focus more on scoring and playmaking rather than being the sole engine of the offense. ## Sources & Citations - [Jalen Johnson: Another ball handler joining up](https://www.rotowire.com//basketball/player/jalen-johnson-5329) — ClearSports (2026-06-26) --- Cite: Flemings joins Johnson: Hawks draft traditional PG to unlock playmaking. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/jalen-johnson-another-ball-handler-joining-up-0365bdc8