In the summer of 2021, the Atlanta Hawks were on a high, coming off an unexpected journey to the Eastern Conference Finals. The young roster was developing well, leading to a promising outlook for the future.
That offseason marked the Hawks signing Trae Young to a Designated Rookie Extension, even though he had yet to secure an All-NBA selection. However, the rising performance of Young and the team’s stars went largely unchallenged.
Young made the All-NBA Third Team for the 2021-22 season, which increased the value of his extension to 30% of the salary cap beginning in 2022-23. Currently, Young is nearing the conclusion of this contract.
Starting in the 2021-22 season, things began to unravel for Atlanta. They failed to build on their previous success, being eliminated in the first round after just five games. The following season resulted in a similar outcome, and in the last two years, the Hawks have not made the playoffs, losing in the Play-In Tournament each time.
As for Young, he hasn’t achieved another All-NBA selection and is coming off one of his least productive seasons since his rookie year. Still, this doesn’t imply he has been underperforming; he has simply set exceptionally high standards for himself.
Young has consistently increased his assists per game over his first seven NBA seasons, leading the league with an average of 11.6 assists last season. That statistic ranks as the 23rd highest in NBA history. He averaged 24.2 points while managing a less-than-stellar Hawks offense, particularly after Jalen Johnson’s season-ending injury.
Furthermore, Young displayed notable improvements defensively last season. While he might not be in the running for defensive awards, his effort on that end of the court is essential for the Hawks as they aim for a successful season. To become contenders, Atlanta must also manage their salary cap wisely, making Young’s upcoming contract negotiations crucial.
