Jeff Teague Picks Jalen Johnson Over Haliburton to Build Around

Jeff Teague's Bold Take: Why Jalen Johnson Over Tyrese Haliburton Is Sparking NBA Debate

The NBA debate machine rarely sleeps, and on April 6, 2026, former point guard Jeff Teague threw fuel on the fire with a declaration that stopped basketball fans mid-scroll: he would build a franchise around Atlanta Hawks star Jalen Johnson before Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton. The claim ignited immediate discussion across social media and sports podcasts — and when you look at what Johnson has done in the 2025-26 season, it's not as outlandish as it first sounds.

Johnson is in the middle of one of the most quietly dominant breakout seasons in recent NBA memory, averaging 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. Those are numbers that blend All-Star production with MVP-level versatility. The conversation Teague started is really a larger one: is Jalen Johnson becoming one of the most valuable players in the Eastern Conference?

What Jeff Teague Actually Said — And Why It Matters

On his podcast, Teague made his preference crystal clear. Given the choice between Haliburton and Johnson as a cornerstone to build a franchise around, Teague chose Johnson without hesitation. His reasoning? Johnson's physical profile and skill set make him nearly impossible to game-plan against.

Teague called Johnson a "6'10" point guard" — a description that is equal parts hyperbole and insight. Johnson is officially listed at 6'8", but Teague's point lands regardless of the exact measurement: Johnson plays like a guard, thinks like a point guard, but occupies space like a power forward. That combination is extraordinarily rare and, Teague argued, gives a team a foundational building block that transcends traditional positional thinking.

For full context on Teague's comments, Total Pro Sports breaks down his reasoning in detail, including what specifically drew him to Johnson over one of the league's premier playmakers.

The debate is meaningful because Haliburton is no slouch. He is one of the best pure point guards in basketball, a dynamic facilitator who helped carry Indiana deep into the playoffs in recent years. Choosing Johnson over him is a statement — not a slight against Haliburton, but an elevation of what Johnson represents as a player.

Jalen Johnson's 2025-26 Season: The Numbers Tell the Story

If you haven't been watching the Atlanta Hawks closely this season, Johnson's stat line might come as a shock. His averages of 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists place him in rarefied company. To put it in perspective, a player averaging at least 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in a single season is operating at a level that only a handful of players in NBA history have sustained.

Those numbers reflect more than individual brilliance — they reflect a player who has completely absorbed a system and made it his own. Johnson has become the primary engine in Atlanta's positionless system, a style of play that demands its centerpiece to be a credible threat in every phase of the game. Johnson passes that test nightly.

His Eastern Conference Player of the Month recognition this season is further validation from the league itself that what Johnson is doing is real and sustained, not a hot streak. Month-long statistical dominance at this level signals a player who has genuinely leveled up, not someone riding a favorable schedule.

The Point Power Forward — A Rare and Coveted Profile

The reason Teague's argument resonates is because of what Johnson represents positionally. The NBA has been trending toward versatility for years, and the "point power forward" is perhaps the most coveted archetype in the modern game. Think of the players who changed franchises' fortunes by occupying this role — athletes who could initiate offense from the perimeter, operate in the post, and defend multiple positions without being a liability.

At 6'8" (or "6'10"" in Teague's enthusiastic framing), Johnson has the size to body up bigger forwards, the quickness to stay in front of wings, and the passing vision to run an offense as a primary creator. That last element — 8.0 assists per game — is what truly separates him from a conventional scorer. Most players his size don't average eight assists. Most guards don't average ten rebounds. Johnson does both.

For teams trying to build around a single player who can make everyone around him better regardless of lineup configuration, that profile is almost priceless. It's exactly why Teague made the case he did.

Haliburton vs. Johnson: How the Comparison Stacks Up

To be fair to both players, this debate deserves honest examination rather than one-sided cheerleading. Tyrese Haliburton is one of the best playmakers in basketball. He is a willing and accurate passer, a dangerous shooter, and a player who elevates teammates in measurable ways. His track record in high-stakes situations — including playoff runs with Indiana — is established.

Johnson's playoff résumé, by comparison, is still developing. The Hawks have not been a consistent postseason presence, and Johnson has not yet had the opportunity to prove himself across an extended playoff run the way Haliburton has.

But the counter-argument — the one Teague is making — is about ceilings and positional scarcity. Elite point guards, while rare, exist in greater supply than players with Johnson's specific combination of size, scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. When you are building from scratch, you optimize for what is hardest to find. A 6'8" forward who averages 8 assists and 10 rebounds while scoring over 22 points is genuinely difficult to replicate. A 6'4" point guard who averages similar assists, while incredibly talented, operates in a more populated positional market.

That is the crux of Teague's argument, and it is a legitimate one even if reasonable people disagree with the conclusion.

What This Means for the Atlanta Hawks

For the Hawks organization, the outside validation of Johnson's breakout campaign is meaningful. Atlanta has been searching for its next franchise cornerstone since the Trae Young era began, and the emergence of Johnson as a co-star — or potentially the lead star — changes the calculus around team building.

Johnson's positionless skill set also gives Atlanta's coaching staff extraordinary flexibility. He can play alongside ball-dominant guards or initiate offense himself. He can play the four or slide to the three. He can guard forwards or help contain wings. That kind of versatility reduces the team's dependency on any single roster configuration and makes the Hawks harder to scheme against.

Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors suggest the broader league has taken notice. If Johnson sustains this production into the postseason, the conversation around his place among the East's elite players will only grow louder.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jalen Johnson

What are Jalen Johnson's stats for the 2025-26 season?

Johnson is averaging 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game for the Atlanta Hawks in the 2025-26 NBA season, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month recognition along the way.

What position does Jalen Johnson play?

Johnson is officially listed as a forward and stands 6'8". However, his playmaking ability and assist numbers have led analysts and former players like Jeff Teague to describe him as a "point power forward" given his ability to initiate and run an offense.

Why did Jeff Teague choose Jalen Johnson over Tyrese Haliburton?

Teague cited Johnson's rare combination of size, scoring, rebounding, and playmaking as his reason. He referred to Johnson as a "6'10" point guard," emphasizing that his physical profile and positional versatility make him an ideal franchise cornerstone. Read more about Teague's full reasoning here.

Who is Tyrese Haliburton?

Tyrese Haliburton is the starting point guard for the Indiana Pacers and one of the premier playmakers in the NBA. He is known for his elite passing, shooting efficiency, and leadership, and has been a central figure in Indiana's recent playoff success.

Has Jalen Johnson won any individual awards this season?

Yes. Johnson has earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month recognition during the 2025-26 season, a reflection of his sustained dominance over an extended stretch of games.

Conclusion: Johnson's Rise Is Impossible to Ignore

Jeff Teague's willingness to publicly rank Jalen Johnson above Tyrese Haliburton as a franchise cornerstone is the kind of hot take that generates clicks — but it is also grounded in something real. Johnson's 2025-26 season represents a genuine leap into the upper tier of NBA players, and the statistical profile he is building is one that very few players at any position can match.

Whether you agree with Teague's final ranking or not, the conversation itself is a testament to how far Johnson has come. A player averaging over 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists while serving as the engine of Atlanta's positionless offense is not a fringe candidate for any debate — he is a legitimate centerpiece of one of basketball's most compelling storylines this season.

The Hawks may have found their cornerstone. And the rest of the NBA is starting to pay attention.