Jalen Johnson agrees to $150 million contract extension with Hawks following breakout season

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks and Jalen Johnson agreed to a rookie contract extension on Monday, rewarding the 6-foot-9 forward for his 2023-24 breakout season.

The Hawks did not disclose details of the deal, two days before Wednesday night's opening game of Johnson's fourth season. ESPN reported the agreement was for $150 million and five years.

Johnson, the No. 20 overall selection in the 2021 NBA draft, emerged as a prominent scorer and rebounder last season. He set career highs with his averages of 16 points and 8.7 rebounds.

“Jalen Johnson embodies the characteristics we look for as an organization, both on and off the court,” Hawks general manager Landry Fields said in a statement released by the team.

“He has shown continuous improvement each year and has the character and the work ethic to continue to grow his game. He has developed into a significant part of our team and we’re thrilled to continue his development in Atlanta.”

Despite missing 14 games with a wrist injury in December, Johnson started 52 games after making only a combined six starts in his first two seasons. He almost tripled his scoring average from 5.6 points in his second season.

Johnson joins point guard Trae Young and wing Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, as foundation players for Atlanta following the offseason decision to trade guard Dejounte Murray.

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Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) scores in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)