Trae Young is Ridiculously Underrated

[kg01]

So what's the Hawk's strategy?

Now they have a lot of good 2-way wings around him, Dyson, JJ.

Why did they trade away Hunter?

Would have liked to seen a full season with all healthy.

Saw big jumps in improvement by Dyson and JJ. Other teams saw jumps like Mobley for the Cavs. Why not bet on all the youth with high ceilings?

*shrugs*

Seems the answer's almost in the question, babes. Or, to be clearer, they're gonna try to run the youngs WITH Trae not instead of him.

Mainly because the young guys still need Trae. They seem fine for a random game here and there but when forced to be the 1A on teams' scouting reports, they struggle.

Why'd they trade Hunter? Same reason why they won't trade Trae apart from him demanding it. Because the (cl)ownership are some cheap mofos. Won't pay the tax and use Trae's popularity to keep the seats filled and the franchise in the black.

This caps how good they'll be unless someone breaks out unexpectedly. The hope as a Hawks fan is that they've finally and mercifully surrounded Trae with length, defense, and (enough) shooting that they ascend once healthy next year.

A byproduct of the Hunter cost-saving trade is that they upgraded the bench with actual NBA players, which helps keep them from cratering once they have to sub.

I like Okongwu but wouldn't mind an upgrade at C too.

[Ruma85]

So what's the Hawk's strategy?

Now they have a lot of good 2-way wings around him, Dyson, JJ.

Why did they trade away Hunter?

Would have liked to seen a full season with all healthy.

Saw big jumps in improvement by Dyson and JJ. Other teams saw jumps like Mobley for the Cavs. Why not bet on all the youth with high ceilings?

*shrugs*

Seems the answer's almost in the question, babes. Or, to be clearer, they're gonna try to run the youngs WITH Trae not instead of him.

Mainly because the young guys still need Trae. They seem fine for a random game here and there but when forced to be the 1A on teams' scouting reports, they struggle.

Why'd they trade Hunter? Same reason why they won't trade Trae apart from him demanding it. Because the (cl)ownership are some cheap mofos. Won't pay the tax and use Trae's popularity to keep the seats filled and the franchise in the black.

This caps how good they'll be unless someone breaks out unexpectedly. The hope as a Hawks fan is that they've finally and mercifully surrounded Trae with length, defense, and (enough) shooting that they ascend once healthy next year.

A byproduct of the Hunter cost-saving trade is that they upgraded the bench with actual NBA players, which helps keep them from cratering once they have to sub.

I like Okongwu but wouldn't mind an upgrade at C too.

Capela expires at the end of the season, anyone else? what's the cap situation like heading into the off-season? There pick for this upcoming draft is with the Spurs, right? If I recall correctly didn't they receive Lakers pick from the Murray trade?

[Jamaaliver]

So what's the Hawk's strategy?

Now they have a lot of good 2-way wings around him, Dyson, JJ.

Why did they trade away Hunter?
Why not bet on all the youth with high ceilings?

Age, injury history and salary increases for Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. Hawks essentially replaced Hunter with Zacch Risacher and were looking to cash in on DH's trade value. Sadly, they only got NBA journeymen and modest 2nd round picks.

But focusing on a core of Okongwu (24), Jalen (23), Dyson (21), Risacher (20) essentially extends the Hawks competitive window for another half decade.

[kg01]

So what's the Hawk's strategy?

Now they have a lot of good 2-way wings around him, Dyson, JJ.

Why did they trade away Hunter?

Would have liked to seen a full season with all healthy.

Saw big jumps in improvement by Dyson and JJ. Other teams saw jumps like Mobley for the Cavs. Why not bet on all the youth with high ceilings?

*shrugs*

Seems the answer's almost in the question, babes. Or, to be clearer, they're gonna try to run the youngs WITH Trae not instead of him.

Mainly because the young guys still need Trae. They seem fine for a random game here and there but when forced to be the 1A on teams' scouting reports, they struggle.

Why'd they trade Hunter? Same reason why they won't trade Trae apart from him demanding it. Because the (cl)ownership are some cheap mofos. Won't pay the tax and use Trae's popularity to keep the seats filled and the franchise in the black.

This caps how good they'll be unless someone breaks out unexpectedly. The hope as a Hawks fan is that they've finally and mercifully surrounded Trae with length, defense, and (enough) shooting that they ascend once healthy next year.

A byproduct of the Hunter cost-saving trade is that they upgraded the bench with actual NBA players, which helps keep them from cratering once they have to sub.

I like Okongwu but wouldn't mind an upgrade at C too.

Capela expires at the end of the season, anyone else? what's the cap situation like heading into the off-season? There pick for this upcoming draft is with the Spurs, right? If I recall correctly didn't they receive Lakers pick from the Murray trade?

I'll let someone else get into the actual cap numbers. All I know is whatever the cheap road is, that's the one their gonna travel.

Yes, SAS has our pick (unprotected) and yes ATL has LAL's FRP (unprotected). IIRC, ATL has Sacramento's '25 pick (top 12 protected)

[Ruma85]

*shrugs*

Seems the answer's almost in the question, babes. Or, to be clearer, they're gonna try to run the youngs WITH Trae not instead of him.

Mainly because the young guys still need Trae. They seem fine for a random game here and there but when forced to be the 1A on teams' scouting reports, they struggle.

Why'd they trade Hunter? Same reason why they won't trade Trae apart from him demanding it. Because the (cl)ownership are some cheap mofos. Won't pay the tax and use Trae's popularity to keep the seats filled and the franchise in the black.

This caps how good they'll be unless someone breaks out unexpectedly. The hope as a Hawks fan is that they've finally and mercifully surrounded Trae with length, defense, and (enough) shooting that they ascend once healthy next year.

A byproduct of the Hunter cost-saving trade is that they upgraded the bench with actual NBA players, which helps keep them from cratering once they have to sub.

I like Okongwu but wouldn't mind an upgrade at C too.

Capela expires at the end of the season, anyone else? what's the cap situation like heading into the off-season? There pick for this upcoming draft is with the Spurs, right? If I recall correctly didn't they receive Lakers pick from the Murray trade?

I'll let someone else get into the actual cap numbers. All I know is whatever the cheap road is, that's the one their gonna travel.

Yes, SAS has our pick (unprotected) and yes ATL has LAL's FRP (unprotected). IIRC, ATL has Sacramento's '25 pick (top 12 protected)

Not bad, at least one pick is coming your way.

[tsherkin]

But focusing on a core of Okongwu (24), Jalen (23), Dyson (21), Risacher (20) essentially extends the Hawks competitive window for another half decade.

Now all they need is that second scorer. If by some magical manner it becomes possible, a defensive big who is a lob threat and can space the floor. And possibly a pot full of gold.

[SlimShady83]

Now all they need is that second scorer. If by some magical manner it becomes possible, a defensive big who is a lob threat and can space the floor. And possibly a pot full of gold.

He could go to Utah, play with Lauri Or Kessler/Collins that unless they don't get traded to my Lakers first:)

[tsherkin]

Now all they need is that second scorer. If by some magical manner it becomes possible, a defensive big who is a lob threat and can space the floor. And possibly a pot full of gold.

He could go to Utah, play with Lauri Or Kessler/Collins that unless they don't get traded to my Lakers first:)

Trae on the Lakers wouldn't make sense, of course. But imagining him with Markkanen is interesting.

[SlimShady83]

Now all they need is that second scorer. If by some magical manner it becomes possible, a defensive big who is a lob threat and can space the floor. And possibly a pot full of gold.

He could go to Utah, play with Lauri Or Kessler/Collins that unless they don't get traded to my Lakers first:)

Trae on the Lakers wouldn't make sense, of course. But imagining him with Markkanen is interesting.

No I meant Trae In Utah LOL

[tamaraw08]

But focusing on a core of Okongwu (24), Jalen (23), Dyson (21), Risacher (20) essentially extends the Hawks competitive window for another half decade.

Now all they need is that second scorer. If by some magical manner it becomes possible, a defensive big who is a lob threat and can space the floor. And possibly a pot full of gold.

The 23 yr old Jalen Johnson was averaging 19/10 before his injury, doesn't he qualify as a 2nd scorer?
If not, Who can realistically trade to get a legit scorer?

[tsherkin]

He could go to Utah, play with Lauri Or Kessler/Collins that unless they don't get traded to my Lakers first:)

Trae on the Lakers wouldn't make sense, of course. But imagining him with Markkanen is interesting.

No I meant Trae In Utah LOL

Oh, yeah. WEll, as I said, Trae would be very interesting with Lauri (and/or Collins, given his range). Kessler has no range, but he's a demon on the offensive glass. Good hands, runs a decent transition route, decent lob threat. Bet he'd be a beast of a roll man off of Trae.

[kg01]

Now all they need is that second scorer. If by some magical manner it becomes possible, a defensive big who is a lob threat and can space the floor. And possibly a pot full of gold.

He could go to Utah, play with Lauri Or Kessler/Collins that unless they don't get traded to my Lakers first:)

Kessler to Atlanta. Problem solved.

[tsherkin]

Now all they need is that second scorer. If by some magical manner it becomes possible, a defensive big who is a lob threat and can space the floor. And possibly a pot full of gold.

He could go to Utah, play with Lauri Or Kessler/Collins that unless they don't get traded to my Lakers first:)

Kessler to Atlanta. Problem solved.

Hey, if it works, it works. Trae could use the help.

[Jamaaliver]

The 23 yr old Jalen Johnson was averaging 19/10 before his injury, doesn't he qualify as a 2nd scorer?
If not, Who can realistically trade to get a legit scorer?

Jalen Johnson is, sadly, not a consistent scorer in the half court.

He has a streaky jump shot, no post game and is only a threat to score at the rim.

Lauri Markkannen comes to mind as a useful, floor-spacing scorer who could feast off of the gravity Trae and Jalen provide.
Anthony Davis could be available in trade as soon as this summer.
Domantis Sabonis
Norm Powell
Andrew Wiggins
Zach Lavine
Jordan Poole
Paul George

All that to say, there are several options...none of them great.

[wco81]

Trae hasn't gotten an offer from the Hawks for an extension. He's eligible for a huge extension.

Young has a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Young is eligible to sign a four-year, $222.4 million extension this summer. The veteran point guard could qualify for a larger contract, worth up to $335.9 million over five years, if Young makes an All-NBA team this season.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281620/Trae-Young-Disappointed-Hawks-Havent-Extended-His-Contract

Atlanta has made some moves so they may do well, possibly reach the ECF again with Tatum and Hali out.

That may make the team open up their wallets.

Of course there will be big questions about an undersized guard who's a defensive liability, about how far they can go in the playoffs with him as the best player or at least the #1 scoring option.

Spurs just gave Fox a $230 million extension, expecting that Wemby will be the best player on that team, if he isn't already.

Trae had that one big playoffs run while Fox hasn't led his teams to a playoffs series win yet.

Of course, just because the Spurs gave out a bad contract extension doesn't necessarily mean the Hawks should either, not that paying Trae another max contract is necessarily a bad contract.

Right now, they gave Jalen Johnson a big contract, may gave Daniels one too. Otherwise, they don't have many others to pay yet. Depends on whether these high lotto picks pan out.

[HotelVitale]

Trae hasn't gotten an offer from the Hawks for an extension. He's eligible for a huge extension.

Young has a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Young is eligible to sign a four-year, $222.4 million extension this summer. The veteran point guard could qualify for a larger contract, worth up to $335.9 million over five years, if Young makes an All-NBA team this season.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281620/Trae-Young-Disappointed-Hawks-Havent-Extended-His-Contract

Atlanta has made some moves so they may do well, possibly reach the ECF again with Tatum and Hali out.

That may make the team open up their wallets.

Of course there will be big questions about an undersized guard who's a defensive liability, about how far they can go in the playoffs with him as the best player or at least the #1 scoring option.

Spurs just gave Fox a $230 million extension, expecting that Wemby will be the best player on that team, if he isn't already.

Trae had that one big playoffs run while Fox hasn't led his teams to a playoffs series win yet.

Of course, just because the Spurs gave out a bad contract extension doesn't necessarily mean the Hawks should either, not that paying Trae another max contract is necessarily a bad contract.

Right now, they gave Jalen Johnson a big contract, may gave Daniels one too. Otherwise, they don't have many others to pay yet. Depends on whether these high lotto picks pan out.

Different team situations too. The Hawks would like to keep Trae as their #1...if the team looks like it's going somewhere. Got a nice roster going into this year so you give it a shot, but if it's a disaster they probably have to start moving in a different direction. SA is going to try to be good/competitive right away while also building to a future dynasty with their young guys, so having a really good player like Fox around works for both. And they probably think they can trade him if things change unexpectedly, but either way their direction is pretty set. (Not saying they should've given Fox that big of an extension, just that it doesn't change their general direction/strategy).

Also not sure what you mean by these high lotto picks who might pan out, Hawks only have Risacher in that boat. Daniels is RFA after this year but he's already broken out and shown what he is.

[Rainwater]

Trae hasn't gotten an offer from the Hawks for an extension. He's eligible for a huge extension.

Young has a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Young is eligible to sign a four-year, $222.4 million extension this summer. The veteran point guard could qualify for a larger contract, worth up to $335.9 million over five years, if Young makes an All-NBA team this season.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281620/Trae-Young-Disappointed-Hawks-Havent-Extended-His-Contract

Atlanta has made some moves so they may do well, possibly reach the ECF again with Tatum and Hali out.

That may make the team open up their wallets.

Of course there will be big questions about an undersized guard who's a defensive liability, about how far they can go in the playoffs with him as the best player or at least the #1 scoring option.

Spurs just gave Fox a $230 million extension, expecting that Wemby will be the best player on that team, if he isn't already.

Trae had that one big playoffs run while Fox hasn't led his teams to a playoffs series win yet.

Of course, just because the Spurs gave out a bad contract extension doesn't necessarily mean the Hawks should either, not that paying Trae another max contract is necessarily a bad contract.

Right now, they gave Jalen Johnson a big contract, may gave Daniels one too. Otherwise, they don't have many others to pay yet. Depends on whether these high lotto picks pan out.

Fox and Trae are in two different situations. Fox got paid because they already got Wemby, and letting Foxx leave would hurt their contention. Atlanta has no Wemby and Trae is not a first options. And other than one fluke playoff run Trae has not really accomplished much in Atl. Despite how bad the east might be, I think the Hawks might still underachieve. And the fact that the east has to be bad for the hawks to flourish tells you Hawk might be be a paper tiger then anything real. Once Tatam and hail come back do really want to be paying Trae 70 a year? There is plenty of reason why Trae has not been resigned yet.

[tsherkin]

Fox and Trae are in two different situations. Fox got paid because they already got Wemby, and letting Foxx leave would hurt their contention. Atlanta has no Wemby and Trae is not a first options. And other than one fluke playoff run Trae has not really accomplished much in Atl. Despite how bad the east might be, I think the Hawks might still underachieve. And the fact that the east has to be bad for the hawks to flourish tells you Hawk might be be a paper tiger then anything real. Once Tatam and hail come back do really want to be paying Trae 70 a year? There is plenty of reason why Trae has not been resigned yet.

"Paper tiger" is probably the wrong phrase for a team which hasn't actually put significant talent around Trae. That they've done as well as they have offensively is directly related to Trae squeezing blood from a stone for them with his playmaking. It's worth remembering that he was like 0.3 behind Jokic in Box Creation this past season. He was doing yeoman's work trying to bootstrap an offense that didn't have much to work with at all until Risacher started hitting 3s and they put Okongwu into the starting lineup. Jalen Johnson played less than half a season and wasn't anything special on O (and is routinely unhealthy), Dyson Daniels shot 34% from 3. They traded DeAndre Hunter for Niang and Caris Levert. Niang did well. Levert did not. Bogdan sucked before the trade. Capela barely played and has been in decline a while now.

Etc, etc, etc.

Like, what exactly was he supposed to be working with which was supposed to make this team much better?

[Rainwater]

Fox and Trae are in two different situations. Fox got paid because they already got Wemby, and letting Foxx leave would hurt their contention. Atlanta has no Wemby and Trae is not a first options. And other than one fluke playoff run Trae has not really accomplished much in Atl. Despite how bad the east might be, I think the Hawks might still underachieve. And the fact that the east has to be bad for the hawks to flourish tells you Hawk might be a paper tiger then anything real. Once Tatam and hail come back do really want to be paying Trae 70 a year? There is plenty of reason why Trae has not been resigned yet.

"Paper tiger" is probably the wrong phrase for a team which hasn't actually put significant talent around Trae. That they've done as well as they have offensively is directly related to Trae squeezing blood from a stone for them with his playmaking. It's worth remembering that he was like 0.3 behind Jokic in Box Creation this past season. He was doing yeoman's work trying to bootstrap an offense that didn't have much to work with at all until Risacher started hitting 3s and they put Okongwu into the starting lineup. Jalen Johnson played less than half a season and wasn't anything special on O (and is routinely unhealthy), Dyson Daniels shot 34% from 3. They traded DeAndre Hunter for Niang and Caris Levert. Niang did well. Levert did not. Bogdan sucked before the trade. Capela barely played and has been in decline a while now.

Etc, etc, etc.

Like, what exactly was he supposed to be working with which was supposed to make this team much better?

My paper tiger reference was in terms of my predication for the Hawks this upcoming season and why the organization shouldn't resign him long term despite how much the team is "believed" to have improved this offseason. Wasn't speaking about past team construction.

[tsherkin]

My paper tiger reference was in terms of my predication for the Hawks this upcoming season and why the organization shouldn't resign him long term despite how much the team is "believed" to have improved this offseason. Wasn't speaking about past team construction.

Sure, but again, what have they really added that makes one think it's going to be much different?

Another year from Daniels, Risacher and Okongwu is nice. Having Onyeka in the starting lineup the whole year will help, and having the shooting Risacher showed over the last couple of months will also materially change the team offense over the breadth of the season. Having a full season of JJ should help. Having NAW should help on D, and he's a solid C+S 3pt shooter.

The biggest question mark they have is Porzingis. If he's any kind of healthy, that's a highly-efficient 20 ppg scorer they just added. Of course, he's probably going to play 55 games, but still.

So, they have some questions about youth development and the health of their second option. But if they have issues this year, those will be the sources of the problem, as opposed to anything to do with Trae. If they get rid of him, they shoot themselves in the foot for years to come.