Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is projected to receive a significant NBA award.

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is regarded as one of the promising talents in the NBA as the 2024-2025 season approaches, largely due to the significant development he demonstrated last year. Johnson transitioned from being a young prospect to becoming one of the franchise's key players. He exhibited enhancements across all major statistical categories last season, including points per game (increasing from 5.6 to 16), assists per game (rising from 1.2 to 3.6), rebounds per game (growing from 4.0 to 8.7), three-point shooting percentage (improving from 28.8% to 35.5%), and minutes per game (expanding from 14.9 to 33.7). Johnson emerged as a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player Award and would likely have secured the accolade had he met the 65-game requirement last season. Consequently, he is expected to be a leading contender for the award this year. With Dejounte Murray's departure, Johnson is set to assume the role of the second option for the Hawks, providing him ample opportunities to enhance his performance compared to the previous season.

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report has made a daring forecast for the Hawks' forthcoming season, suggesting that Johnson is poised to win the award this time.

The Atlanta Hawks are confronted with a significant decision regarding forward Jalen Johnson, who is eligible for an extension prior to the upcoming season. The organization has the option to postpone this decision until he becomes a restricted free agent next year; however, Johnson is poised for a standout season. His scoring average surged from 5.6 points per game in the 2022-23 season to 16.0 last season. This upward trajectory is expected to persist, as he is likely to transition into the 20-point scorer bracket, establishing himself as the Hawks' premier frontcourt player alongside guard Trae Young.

Johnson is set to receive the NBA's Most Improved Player award, along with a substantial salary increase, which may prompt the Hawks to finalize a contract before his value escalates further. It is evident that Johnson is poised for a significant extension and will serve as a foundational player for the Hawks in the future, alongside Trae Young and first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. I anticipate that Johnson will have an outstanding season, and his candidacy for the Most Improved Player award is certainly a possibility.