Southeast Notes: J. Johnson, Valanciunas, Kuzma, Heat

Fresh Off signs a five-year, $150 million contract extension with the Hawks last month, Jalen Johnson has taken on a larger role so far this season, earning more touches and more playing responsibility, as Spencer Davies writes for RG.org.

Entering Friday’s game against Cleveland, Johnson was averaging 20.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 36.4 minutes per game – all of those numbers are career highs. He didn’t let it show on Friday, contributing 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to the second straight win over the NBA’s top-seeded Cavaliers. In his 35 minutes of action, he reached a game-high +17.

“Only a guy like him to be able to play with that much confidence, drive to the basket, pressure people, make threes and make plays for other players.” Hawks Center Clint Capela said Davies. “It was a very high level for our team. It took our team to another level.”

When asked how Johnson can continue to improve, Capela said consistency as a head coach is a crucial next step Quin Snyder said he wants the fourth-year forward to continue making progress on defense. The general consensus is that Johnson’s ceiling is even higher than what he has shown so far.

“He’s young, so honestly he can get better at everything.” teammate De’Andre Hunter said Davies. “He still has a lot of room to grow. I think overall he can just continue to grow his game like he has and he will continue to reach new heights.”

Here’s more from the Southeast:

• Jonas Valanciunas is that wizard Player most likely to be traded this season, league sources tell Kurt Helin of NBC Sports. Valanciunas has been frequently linked to the Lakers having interest in him as a free agent, but LA won’t be the only team in the market for a big man at the trade deadline. Helin speculates that clubs like Phoenix, Indiana and Miami could also be looking for frontcourt depth.
• Kyle Kuzma Sprained a rib on Wednesday and will therefore miss at least a few games wizard Head coach Brian Keefewho said the veteran forward is not expected to suit up for Saturday’s game in Milwaukee or Tuesday’s game in Cleveland (Twitter link via Josh Robbins of The Athletic).
• Although both are struggling this week, Heat is swingman Jimmy Butler and front/center Kevin Love have been cleared for Friday’s game against Toronto, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets. Love was the first player to come off the bench for Miami.