Trae Young finds himself at a pivotal moment in his career as the Atlanta Hawks gear up for the upcoming NBA season with a roster meticulously built around him. The central question is whether Young can convert this level of support into sustained victories, a challenge often described as the “Trae Young Hawks winning challenge.” Despite the layers of talent surrounding him, Young’s ability to transform potential into consistent wins remains under scrutiny.
Balancing Talent and the Complexities of Leading a Team
Constructing a winning team around a star like Young involves both simplicity and complexity. His archetype—a dynamic, ball-dominant point guard with offensive brilliance but defensive vulnerabilities—is familiar in today’s NBA. His success largely depends on having reliable shooters, strong interior presence for alley-oops, and a defensive unit capable of compensating for his shortcomings. This model is echoed by other stars such as Luka Doncic, but the defense trades made for offensive talent have often hindered teams’ ultimate success.
Historical examples abound: James Harden’s teams struggled defensively, Portland failed to reach the title with Damian Lillard, and although Dallas reached the NBA Finals with Doncic, they could not close the deal. Jalen Brunson’s recent run with the New York Knicks shows a borderline unstoppable scorer can almost reach a conference final, but even that success may be fleeting.
Hawks’ Recent Performance and Trae Young’s Role
The Hawks’ trajectory since their surprising 2021 Eastern Conference Finals appearance has been uneven. They have posted a near .500 record (160-168) over the last four years, changed coaches, made high-profile trades like acquiring Dejounte Murray that didn’t pan out, and missed the playoffs in half of those seasons. Their first-round exits were often disappointing, even with Young logging heavy minutes and performing well individually.
Young’s teammates have included prime Dejounte Murray, John Collins, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and promising players like Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson. Despite this array of NBA talent, the Hawks’ net rating—a critical measure of performance with Young on the court—has hovered just above average, with an effective offense but a lagging defense.
Playoff Struggles Highlight Persistent Issues
In postseason play, the Hawks have faced additional challenges. Young’s playoff shooting numbers tell a difficult story, shooting around 40% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc in 37 playoff games. While his scoring and playmaking remain impressive—averaging about 29 points and 10 assists in two notable postseasons—the team’s playoff outcomes continue to disappoint, raising doubts about whether Young can lead a team deep into the playoffs on his own.
New Season Brings Renewed Hope with Strategic Roster Composition
This season, the Hawks boast a talented roster designed specifically to support Young’s strengths and offset his weaknesses. A key player returning is Jalen Johnson, who missed much of last season with a torn labrum but brings burgeoning All-Star potential. Johnson and Young have shown strong on-court chemistry, with the team performing significantly better defensively when both play together.
Adding to the defensive backbone are Dyson Daniels—who led the league in steals last season—Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a valuable summer acquisition, and Zaccharie Rissacher, who proved himself as a capable defender down the stretch. These players form a perimeter defense unit capable of switching and contesting outside shots, aiming to reduce the defensive burdens on Young.
Defensive Frontcourt Depth Strengthens Hawks’ Position
Behind the perimeter defenders are Onyeka Okongwu and Kristaps Porziņģis, who was traded for this summer and offers a formidable presence inside. Porziņģis excelled as a primary defender last season, holding opponents to a conversion rate better than some of the league’s top defensive players, including Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis. With this mix of talent, the Hawks can deploy a closing lineup featuring Young, Johnson, Alexander-Walker, Daniels, and either Okongwu or Porziņģis, creating a balanced and defensively stout unit.
This combination is expected to elevate the Hawks’ defense to a level that can sustain a winning record in a competitive Eastern Conference, which would mark a clear step forward from their recent seasons.
Offensive Synergy with Porziņģis and Luke Kennard Offers New Dimensions
Beyond defense, the Hawks offer Young a potent offensive setup, centered on his connection with big men who can stretch the floor. Kristaps Porziņģis adds a threat with his 30-plus foot shooting on pick-and-pop plays, while sharpshooter Luke Kennard contributes consistently from beyond the arc, boasting a career 43% three-point shooting percentage.
The spacing created by these shooters and the dynamic movement of Jalen Johnson cutting to the basket gives Young ample opportunities to showcase his elite passing skills, particularly for alley-oops and open shots. This offensive scheme promises an exciting brand of basketball and a meaningful test of Young’s ability to elevate the team’s overall performance.
Reflection on Past Runs and Future Expectations
Atlanta’s 2021 playoff run remains a highlight, when Young took over high-profile games and nearly propelled the team to the NBA Finals. Injuries and other factors prevented deeper success, but that run showed the potential for Young-led teams to compete at the highest level.
Since then, the front office’s moves—including signing John Collins to a large contract, re-signing coach Nate McMillan, and trading unsuccessfully for Murray—have drawn criticism for stalling the team’s progress. Additionally, missing out on top draft picks has limited the Hawks’ ability to add high-impact players to complement Young.
Challenges Remain on Shooting and Defensive Effort
One persistent concern is Young’s shooting efficiency. Despite his reputation, he has not consistently shot above league average from three-point range for the majority of his career, including recent seasons. Improving this aspect and increasing off-ball movement could elevate his overall game, following the example of players like Steph Curry, who transformed his defense through dedicated physical and skill development.
Questions remain about Young’s willingness to adapt and develop defensively, which could be crucial for the Hawks’ ambitions.
Opportunity and Pressure to Cement His Legacy
With the Hawks ready to offer Young a maximum contract extension, the stakes could not be higher. The organization and fans alike will scrutinize his ability to lead the team to tangible success, as paying max money to talented yet losing players has proven a risky proposition. The limited trade interest Young attracted last year further emphasizes doubts about his perceived value as a “winning player.”
In approximately four months, Young will face arguably the most critical period of his career to prove that he can meet the expectations the Hawks have set for themselves and break the cycle of underachievement. Whether he can harness the team‘s potential and overcome past shortcomings will shape his legacy and Atlanta’s future.
“
If this unit can’t defend well enough to win, say, 50 games, in this Eastern Conference, and go into the playoffs as something more than a play-in afterthought destined for another quick death, there will only be one place to point the finger.
” —Unnamed Analyst
“Imagine that kind of spacing with Jalen Johnson cutting down the wide-open lane for a lob with Young, one of the best passers the league has ever seen, playing quarterback. It’s impossible not to get excited about it, not just as a basketball experiment, but as a Young fan.”
—Basketball Commentator
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Adidas drop Trae Young?
A. He officially joined Jordan Brand, ending his association with adidas.