Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, renowned for his exceptional playmaking abilities, was surprisingly left off the 2024-2025 All-NBA teams, sparking widespread debate across the basketball community. Despite his elite role as a point guard and the league leader in assists this season, the Hawks’ overall struggles, including a 40-42 regular season record and a play-in game loss to the Miami Heat, appeared to weigh heavily against him.
Young himself expressed his frustration candidly regarding Atlanta’s failure to reach the playoffs.
Not making the playoffs is a failure to me,
Young said.
Repeated Recognition Denials Reflect Season’s Challenges
Young’s exclusion from the All-NBA team was not an isolated incident this season. Initially omitted from the All-Star roster, he only earned a spot as an injury replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo, marking the second straight year he joined the All-Star lineup under similar circumstances. Additionally, he narrowly missed out on the NBA Clutch Award, which was given to Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks.
However, Young’s clutch performance established him as a leading figure in high-pressure moments. He recorded the highest Player Impact Estimate (PIE) in clutch situations among Eastern Conference players with at least 35 such games, led the NBA in total clutch assists and free throws, and ranked third in clutch scoring and three-pointers made. These statistics highlight his crucial impact in decisive moments throughout the season. This snub, while disappointing, might serve to motivate Young, a competitor who has historically used setbacks as fuel to improve.
Young’s Statistically Impressive Season Highlights His Elite Status
This season may be remembered as one of Young’s finest, as he averaged 24.2 points per game alongside leading the entire league in assists with 11.6 per game. This statistical milestone reinforces his position as the primary playmaker driving Atlanta’s offense and underscores his advanced basketball intelligence. From his college tenure at Oklahoma to his role as the Hawks’ franchise cornerstone, Young’s ability to anticipate defenses and deliver timely passes distinguishes him from his peers.
His strong connection with teammates like Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson contributed significantly to Atlanta’s offensive success, with the team ranking among the top five in offensive rating this year. With numerous promising young players developing alongside Young, the Hawks look set to remain an exciting, evolving team to watch in the coming NBA seasons.
Implications of Young’s Snub and Future Outlook
Being overlooked for the All-NBA team despite leading the league in assists and consistently impacting the game highlights the challenges faced by players on teams with sub-.500 records. Young’s snub draws attention to the ongoing debate about how individual excellence is weighed against team success in awards voting. For Young and the Hawks, this moment could signal a turning point—an opportunity to channel disappointment into motivation for the next season, aiming to secure both greater team achievement and deserved individual recognition.