Ray Young, father of Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, responded sharply on X to recent doubts about his son’s impact beyond scoring in the NBA. His reaction came after former NBA player Iman Shumpert suggested on ESPN that Young’s value might be limited, echoing Kevin Durant’s earlier comments questioning the starting roles of smaller guards in the current league.
Defending Trae Young’s all-around skills, Ray Young highlighted his son’s assist record:
“‘What else besides scoring?’ These new retired @NBA dudes y’all putting on @espn gotta start doing their homework…if Trae retired today he’s 3rd all time in assists average! Just led the league last year. What pg switching to a 5 these days?”
This pointed reply underscores Trae Young’s standing as one of the premier assist leaders in NBA history, with an average of 9.8 assists per game, trailing only Magic Johnson and John Stockton.
Context of the Debate: Size Challenges for Modern NBA Point Guards
The wider conversation involves concerns about shorter point guards’ defensive challenges in a league with increasingly versatile and larger players. Kevin Durant set the tone by suggesting that guards under 6-foot-3 face difficulty securing starting roles unless they excel defensively, like Davion Mitchell or Jrue Holiday. Otherwise, only exceptional offensive talents such as Kyrie Irving maintain consistent starting positions.
Trae Young, listed at 6-foot-1, makes a compelling argument as an elite offensive player. His career averages include 25.3 points per game and an assist rate approaching 10 per game. His playoff performance further reinforces this, averaging 29.2 points and 10.2 assists in 2023, along with 1.7 steals per game, demonstrating his impact on both ends of the court.
Considerations for Trae Young’s Upcoming Contract Extension
This offseason presents a critical moment for Trae Young’s career, as he is eligible for a contract extension worth up to $222 million over four years. However, NBA salary cap expert Bobby Marks expressed reservations about offering the full four-year maximum to Young during the same discussion with Shumpert.
“I would approach it with an extension, but not at the 4 (years) for $222 (million) number here. … Trae Young is certainly an All-Star-level player. I’m not putting him up there in a Top 15, maybe even Top 20 in the NBA.” —Bobby Marks, ESPN Salary Cap Analyst
The Hawks have made strategic moves in the offseason to strengthen their roster, including developing promising players like Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher. The organization’s forthcoming offer to Trae Young may significantly influence his long-term role and career trajectory in Atlanta.
Implications for Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young remains a focal point in the Atlanta Hawks’ strategy, balancing his prolific scoring and assists with concerns about defensive matchups, particularly against larger opponents. Ray Young’s defense reinforces Trae’s status among the NBA’s top playmakers, pushing back against critics who emphasize size disadvantages.
The discussion surrounding Trae’s contract and starting suitability highlights ongoing debates about style and role in the evolving NBA. How the Hawks navigate these considerations will impact both their short-term competitiveness and Young’s career development.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did adidas drop Trae Young?
A. Trae Young has switched shoe brands, no longer being a sneaker free agent. He has officially signed with Jordan Brand, parting ways with adidas.
Q. Are Trae Young 3 shoes good?
A. These basketball shoes are comfortable, fit accurately, and are made of good quality, according to customers.
Q. Are the Trae Young 3 shoes good?
A. Our conclusion: Adidas is prioritizing stability with their newest basketball shoe, featuring the Torsion System. The Adidas Trae Young 3 is ideal for players who play like fast and aggressive NBA guards, needing shoes that can handle their quick movements.
Q. Why did Trae Young wear 8?
A. On January 26, Young scored 45 points and contributed 14 assists in a 152–133 victory over the Washington Wizards. To honor Kobe Bryant, who had died earlier in a helicopter accident in California, Young wore No. 8 for the first eight seconds of the game.