Trae Young is in the eye of the storm, as many NBA analysts expect him to be the next big-name star on the move after a difficult year with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks point guard has been one of the stars of the league since he moved into the NBA after just one season playing college basketball at the University of Oklahoma.
He powered his Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 but after a 4-1 series defeat in the first round of the playoffs in 2022, many are speculating whether he has his eyes on a ‘win-now’ franchise instead.
After the playoff defeat to the Miami Heatthe Hawks acquired Dejounte Murrayan outside player with two-way ability, and seemed to take the next step.
But Young was playing second fiddle to Dejounte. Unable to hit those shots that used to go in and getting angry with everybody around him.
The peak came against the Denver Nuggets. He confronted Nate McMillan, his coach, and decided not to play. “It was a private matter,” he said.
But it didn’t take long for different accounts to appear. “Young hates McMillan and other Hawks players don’t like Young,” an unnamed NBA coach told several US media outlets.
There was no turning back. And the Hawks are feeling it, with a 16-16 record and on the verge of being out of the Play-In.
It doesn’t stop there, and as insiders have told Ringer and Bleacher Report, Young is demanding answers.
Either they make a move or he’ll ask to leave as a star in the league. The Hawks want him, with John Collins‘ name in all the pools, but what if he’s not good enough? There’s another question: How high is Young valued?
Young leaves doubts on defense, being a point guard that many offenses look to get the better of. And then there is the inability to shine alongside another shot-maker. And that if he asks to leave… Perhaps not everyone will want him in their ranks.
.