{"id":108842,"date":"2024-11-25T11:30:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T16:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=108842"},"modified":"2024-11-25T09:56:34","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T14:56:34","slug":"hawks-face-crossroads-trae-young","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/25\/hawks-face-crossroads-trae-young\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks Face Crossroads With Trae Young"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Atlanta Hawks have become synonymous with mediocrity. For the past five seasons, the team has hovered around .500 basketball. Their record since the 2020-21 season is 168-167<\/a>\u2014a portrait of inconsistency. While it’s unfair to put all the blame on Trae Young<\/a>, he does deserve some culpability with his heliocentric style of play. This perpetual mediocrity should force the Hawks to make a tough decision about Trae Young.<\/p>\n

Hawks Face Crossroads With Trae Young<\/h2>\n

In 2024-25, the trend of mediocrity continues. They follow thrilling victories with blowout losses, unable to break the cycle. This week, they edged<\/a> out the Sacramento Kings in a nail-biter but were obliterated<\/a> by the Golden State Warriors shortly after. While the team\u2019s results frustrate fans, the emergence of a bright young prospect like Dyson Daniels<\/a> offers a glimmer of hope. Daniels has shown flashes of star potential, particularly on defense.<\/p>\n

Dyson Daniels Emerges as a Defensive Star<\/h3>\n

Daniels has been a defensive revelation for Atlanta. He boasts the unique ability to influence games on that end. In the Hawks\u2019 win over Sacramento, Daniels had four blocks and a game-winning<\/a> strip of De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a>. Earlier this month, he recorded an astounding 25<\/a> steals in just four games.<\/p>\n

Although his offensive game is still developing, Daniels contributes by finishing at the rim and creating extra possessions. With time, he could become a two-way star, but his development hinges on Atlanta’s ability to prioritize him in the lineup.<\/p>\n

Trae Young\u2019s Declining Efficiency<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately for the Hawks, Trae Young\u2019s struggles have created a significant roadblock for the team and its young core. Young\u2019s numbers this season are among the worst of his career.\u00a0He averages<\/a> 22.1 points and a league-leading 11.7 assists but on inefficient shooting splits 38.4% from the field and 32.8% from three. His true shooting percentage of 54.7 is the second lowest of his career.<\/p>\n

Young is also turning the ball over at a near career-high rate of 4.6 per game, while his defense continues to be a liability. Worse still, his high-usage, heliocentric style appears to stunt the growth of Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher<\/a>, and Jalen Johnson.<\/a><\/p>\n

Trae Young\u2019s Contract: An Albatross for Atlanta<\/h3>\n

The Hawks gave Young a massive five-year, $215 million<\/a> contract in 2021, but it\u2019s already looking like a burden. In 2024-25, Young earns $43 million, yet his diminishing impact makes him less valuable. Moving Young via trade seems nearly impossible. His defensive shortcomings, inefficiency, and high usage make him a tough sell in today\u2019s guard-heavy NBA. Teams are less inclined to gamble on a player with these flaws, particularly one earning such a high salary. The contract could gain trade value in its final year, but waiting that long risks stunting the development of Atlanta\u2019s promising young players.<\/p>\n

The Hawks\u2019 Three Options<\/h3>\n

Atlanta faces a difficult decision with Young. The team can:<\/p>\n