There’s rarely a silver lining when a star player is out. However, in the time that the Atlanta Hawks have been without Trae Young, they’ve gotten one.
Young has found himself in trade rumors this season. Yet, going back to last summer, the Hawks were questioning their future with him as the face of the franchise. With that said, the last 12 games that Atlanta has played provide more clarity about what life without him would be like.
They’re 6-6 since Young went out with a finger injury, holding five of their opponents to 100 or fewer points. However, they’ve struggled to generate consistent offense. This a problem exacerbated by multiple rotation players being in and out of the lineup. Nonetheless, missing a player that’s averaging 26.4 points per game has obvious implications.
Watching the Hawks, it’s they need another go-to scorer.
Paul George a Perfect Backcourt Fit for Trae Young, Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and De’Andre Hunter have performed admirably. Murray may even be capable of being the top option on a playoff team. Yet, if the Hawks want to win more games, they simply need another elite shot-creator and shot-maker.
Frankly, that’s the case whether they trade Murray or Young.
With that said, the idea that Atlanta needs a two-way wing that play off-ball to replace one of them is spot-on. Offensively, they need a player that’s not just a volume scorer but a legitimate 3-point threat. Defensively, they need a player that can either guard the opposing backcourt star or the other team’s best perimeter player.
There are several players that fit the description: Los Angeles Clippers swingman Paul George, Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown, San Antonio Spurs wing Devin Vassell, and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton.
George, who East teams are already monitoring amid his contract dispute with the Clippers, appears to be the best fit.
Paul George’s Fit with the Hawks
Long one of the league’s best two-way players, George is averaging 22.3 points and 1.6 steals per game this season while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from 3.
A smooth player, George’s ball-handling and shooting ability have led to him scoring more career points than Magic Johnson. He excels at scoring tough points in isolation or from the post. Possessing prototypical size and athleticism for a swingman at 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, George is a constant threat to attack the rim.
George has also long demonstrated an ability to play off of others within the flow of the offense. When looking at his fit beside two players that prefer scoring off-the-dribble, his catch-and-shoot ability inspires a lot of confidence. This season, George is shooting 43.8 percent on catch-and-shoot 3s.
At the other end, George is capable of carrying the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
Rising star Jalen Johnson has the defensive upside for these tasks. However, George has a body of work that speaks to his experience and abilities. Furthermore, in today’s league, teams often have more than one star-level scorer. As a result, they also need more than one star-level defender.
To that point, George is a multipositional defender. His athleticism and anticipation allows him to shade players like their own shadow. His long arms and quick hands lead to him racking up steals. With the Hawks, they might not want him guarding opposing point guards too frequently. There are plenty of wings and forwards that excel as scorers though.
