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By Anne Erickson
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The Hawks have an interesting mix of young talent heading into 2026, but if you're looking for one rookie who has a real chance to turn heads, keep an eye on Kingston Flemings.
Atlanta used the No. 8 overall pick on the Houston guard for a reason. He has the kind of speed that immediately jumps off the screen. Defenders can know exactly what's coming and still struggle to stay in front of him. That burst, paired with his smarts, gives him a knack for getting where he wants on the floor, and that's not something you can teach.
What makes Flemings even more intriguing is that he isn't just an athlete relying on raw talent. Every team needs someone who can settle things down one possession and push the pace the next. Flemings has the tools to do both.
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There's also plenty of reason to believe his offensive game will continue to grow. The upside is there for him to become a legitimate three-level scorer, which is exactly what teams are looking for in today's NBA.
Then there's the defensive side. Young players often earn trust by competing before anything else, and Flemings already brings that mentality. He plays with an edge, stays engaged and doesn't look like someone who's interested in taking possessions off. Coaches notice those things, even when they don't show up in score totals.
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Nobody should expect a rookie to have everything figured out on Day 1, but Flemings has the speed, confidence and all-around drive to thrive in Atlanta. If everything starts clicking, don't be surprised if he's one of the Hawks' most talked-about young players before the season is over.
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