Jalen Johnson’s extension with the Hawks marks just the beginning of his promising career. With an annual salary of $30 million, he now earns as much as Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs. However, Johnson’s deal could be considered a bargain when compared to his peers.
Suggs recently secured a five-year, $150.5 million rookie extension with the Magic, after being named to the 2024 NBA All-Defensive team. While Suggs excels as a point-of-attack defender, Johnson offers a more well-rounded game. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Johnson’s versatility as a point-forward makes him a mismatch nightmare—too fast for big men and too strong for perimeter defenders.
Johnson has even drawn comparisons to Los Angeles Lakers’ forward LeBron James, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. While such a comparison may seem exaggerated, Johnson’s skill set, basketball IQ, and ability to thrive in transition lend some credibility to the claim.
In terms of development, it’s still early to predict whether Johnson will reach All-Star or All-NBA status. However, his third season was a breakout year, and his trajectory mirrors that of Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam, a two-time All-Star and NBA champion.
On the lower end, Johnson could become the Hawks’ next Josh Smith (J-Smoove), while on the higher end, he might evolve into a player like LeBron. Between those two extremes lie players like Siakam and Scottie Pippen, the latter having been a seven-time All-Star and a key player alongside Michael Jordan.
Ultimately, Johnson’s future is filled with potential, and his development could take him to any number of those milestones.
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