Trae Young is Ridiculously Underrated

[LarsV8]

I respect Trae's ability, who came in and a had pretty big impact, pretty quickly. I think I remember Atlanta having 5 straight top ten offenses, which to me, is pretty impressive. There is definitely an "elite" trait there that is worthy of building with. IMHO there is an art to teambuilding / asset management, and Atlanta tried to be too good, too quickly. They didn't get enough assets, spent the ones they had on mediocre win now pieces, some of poor fit, or just bad luck. Had some success, but now are down in no mans land.

There is a bit of a curse when you land a guy who is a lower level star, who gets miscast as a best player on a championship team (Sabonis, Beal, George, etc). If Trae is your 3rd best player, I think you are a championship level team, if he is your first or second best, well you are going to have some obvious issues that will make a championship path tough, but it also becomes very difficult to give up your best player, even if it is the right choice.

Atlanta has been through its first "win cycle" with Trae, and dipped back down to the basement. This is a hard situation to be in because you don't know what ZR, JJ, and DD will look like in 3-4 years as they enter their primes, so its tough to make a big dollar commitment to Trae. To me, this is timeline mismanagement. Seems to me the right approach is too either trade him for more pieces around the JJ timeline, or cash in the younger guys and picks, for a legit #1 or #2. I think they are going through that calculus right now as a front office.

Even as a fan of Trae, I am not sure I would trade for him. The contract would have to be right, probably in the 40m AAV range, so you can afford two more expensive players, and a supporting cast. I thought of Orlando as an option, but they went in on Bane, so I don't think that is an option, and Suggs is there who is okay. I would have liked SA to go after him rather than Fox, who I don't care for. Maybe Sacramento could string together two #3s and up their floor, so they could at least re-light the beam. Miami is always a destination for players like this. Its hard to find alot of good destinations for Trae. Maybe Portland consolodates a bit?

[Rainwater]

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.

Most have them winning 46,47 wins next season (google). So, people really do think things have changed. I think the rational for an increased win total is due to a combination of a weak east, the additions of KP, NAW, and Kennard and the internal improvements of guys like Daniels, Rischer, JJ, and Okongwnw. I don't agree, I think they are paper tigers, but we'll see.

In regard to Trae, as the main guy he is just too hard to build around. The Hawks have killed themselves doing so. That Murry trade was a killer. Unless the Hawks can get a true superstar to play beside him; if the options are to trade him or sign him to a max I would go with the former and rebuild.

[tsherkin]

Most have them winning 46,47 wins next season (google). So, people really do think things have changed. I think the rational for an increased win total is due to a combination of a week east, the additions of KP, NAW, and Kennard and the internal improvements of guys like Daniels, Rischer, JJ, and Okongwnw. I don't agree, I think they are paper tigers but we'll see.

If they are healthy, it isn't unreasonable. KP, if he's any kind of healthy, is the best scorer that Trae's played alongside in his entire career, for example. And yeah, two top teams in the East are going to be very different, and then they made some good additions, maybe some internal improvement...

In regard to Trae, as the main guy he is just too hard to build around. The Hawks have killed themselves doing so.

Disagree, big time. They didn't do any of what they really needed to in order to build sensibly around him, which was the larger issue.

[Pattycakes]

I have seen the name Trae Young on average more than any other player other than maybe Doncic over the last years. Idk if underrated is the right word

[Doranku]

I have my doubts on Trae's viability as a #1 option, but **** I'd like to see him get a real chance. He's been in Atlanta for 7 years now and his best teammate has been...? John Collins? DeJounte Murray? lol it's criminal, and he still managed to reach the ECF. Give this man a real #2 and #3 and let's see what's good.

[Rainwater]

Most have them winning 46,47 wins next season (google). So, people really do think things have changed. I think the rational for an increased win total is due to a combination of a week east, the additions of KP, NAW, and Kennard and the internal improvements of guys like Daniels, Rischer, JJ, and Okongwnw. I don't agree, I think they are paper tigers but we'll see.

If they are healthy, it isn't unreasonable. KP, if he's any kind of healthy, is the best scorer that Trae's played alongside in his entire career, for example. And yeah, two top teams in the East are going to be very different, and then they made some good additions, maybe some internal improvement...

In regard to Trae, as the main guy he is just too hard to build around. The Hawks have killed themselves doing so.

Disagree, big time. They didn't do any of what they really needed to in order to build sensibly around him, which was the larger issue.

We'll see this season. Trae really has no excuse this season especially if healthy. The east is beyond weak, and this is the best team he has ever had arguably. They should finish top 5 on paper. If the Hawks are still fighting for a play-in spot this year, can't see the Hawks resigning him to 70 million a year.

[tsherkin]

We'll see this season. Trae really has no excuse this season especially if healthy. The east is beyond weak, and this is the best team he has ever had arguably. They should finish top 5 on paper. If the Hawks are still fighting for a play-in spot this year, can't see the Hawks resigning him to 70 million a year.

Yeah, I mean, if they stay healthy, then I'm with you. They SHOULD be pretty good, but it's all dependent upon whether their guys come through, right? What kind of development they see from Risacher, how healthy KP is, etc. If KP is broken half the season, then they're going to struggle.

Should be fun to watch!

[Ball4life32]

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.

Most have them winning 46,47 wins next season (google). So, people really do think things have changed. I think the rational for an increased win total is due to a combination of a weak east, the additions of KP, NAW, and Kennard and the internal improvements of guys like Daniels, Rischer, JJ, and Okongwnw. I don't agree, I think they are paper tigers, but we'll see.

In regard to Trae, as the main guy he is just too hard to build around. The Hawks have killed themselves doing so. That Murry trade was a killer. Unless the Hawks can get a true superstar to play beside him; if the options are to trade him or sign him to a max I would go with the former and rebuild.

Hawks turned Murray into Dyson, KP and another potential lottery pick in 2027 so it’s fine. Also a healthy hawks team might be too good to rebuild …but again they don’t have full control of their own picks until after 2027 so it’s a moot point.

[wco81]

Trae is 1-2 years younger than Fox.

Someone said that with Fox's extension, if Harper or Castle show that they're ready in a couple of years, they could trade Fox by the time he's in his early 30s and Harper and Castle are around 24-25, ready to get max extension.

Certainly the Spurs couldn't pay all 3 guards max money as well as give Wemby a max extension.

So how trade-able would Fox's contract be in his early 30s, earning around $60 million or more a year? Assuming he's still got that elite athletic downhill and pull-up game, still putting up all-star numbers, would there be many buyers for a guy with a huge contract?

Because what's on the table would be similar for Trae, making around $60 million when he's around 30. But the Hawks don't have a replacement creator or playmaker on the roster, at least not yet. Spurs don't either but they have two young high lotto picks who could turn into such.

So Trae could still be the main engine of the Hawks offense 3-4 seasons from now. But would that be enough to have the franchise go up to the next level, become true contenders at least to win the East? Of course a lot depends on what their young players turn into and other acquisitions the team makes.


Teams probably have a bias against small guards once they're over 30. So it's far from guaranteed that Trae (or Fox) would be on tradable contracts if they're earning max salaries by then.

[Rainwater]

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.

Most have them winning 46,47 wins next season (google). So, people really do think things have changed. I think the rational for an increased win total is due to a combination of a weak east, the additions of KP, NAW, and Kennard and the internal improvements of guys like Daniels, Rischer, JJ, and Okongwnw. I don't agree, I think they are paper tigers, but we'll see.

In regard to Trae, as the main guy he is just too hard to build around. The Hawks have killed themselves doing so. That Murry trade was a killer. Unless the Hawks can get a true superstar to play beside him; if the options are to trade him or sign him to a max I would go with the former and rebuild.

Hawks turned Murray into Dyson, KP and another potential lottery pick in 2027 so it’s fine. Also a healthy hawks team might be too good to rebuild …but again they don’t have full control of their own picks until after 2027 so it’s a moot point.

The rebuild is only an option if they fail this offseason, this basically a prove it year for Trae and the hawks. If they are fighting for a play in spot again, despite all the improvements, I doubt Trae is resigned. If failure occurs this season, unless they get a superstar to play beside him, it's likely he is traded for draft picks, and they start the rebuild process.

[seren]

Agreed. Trae Young is ridiculous

[HMFFL]

I have my doubts on Trae's viability as a #1 option, but **** I'd like to see him get a real chance. He's been in Atlanta for 7 years now and his best teammate has been...? John Collins? DeJounte Murray? lol it's criminal, and he still managed to reach the ECF. Give this man a real #2 and #3 and let's see what's good.

Trae should focus on defending more, stop with the low % 3-pointers, focus on his midrange more, and not leading the league in turnovers would help.

This season might be one of the rare seasons that he makes the all-star team without making it due to someone being injured.

There are no excuses for Trae this coming season as long as injuries don't cripple the team.

[tsherkin]

Trae should focus on defending more, stop with the low % 3-pointers, focus on his midrange more, and not leading the league in turnovers would help.

Leading the league in turnovers means a lot less when he's also leading the league in APG.

But actually having other worthwhile scorers, including at least one guy who can initiate his own offense, should make a big difference in the specific usage he'll have to run out on a nightly basis. If KP is healthy, that's a game-changer for Trae; he'd instantly be the best scorer that Trae has played with at any point in his Atlanta career, and that's not a trivial thing. And then having Okongwu finishing, with Risacher and NAW and maybe a slightly-improved Dyson hitting 3s...

Atlanta should look a fair bit better on O this year, if they're healthy.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Onlytimewilltel]

I have seen the name Trae Young on average more than any other player other than maybe Doncic over the last years. Idk if underrated is the right word

Yea more like overrated

[picc]

Trae is about go HAM this year. Finally got a loaded roster. East is decimated. Looking forward to him destroying the league and Atlanta's potential ECF appearance.

[manlisten]

I have my doubts on Trae's viability as a #1 option, but **** I'd like to see him get a real chance. He's been in Atlanta for 7 years now and his best teammate has been...? John Collins? DeJounte Murray? lol it's criminal, and he still managed to reach the ECF. Give this man a real #2 and #3 and let's see what's good.

I keep asking this question but who is the best #2 option you can think of to put next to Trae? You will inevitably settle on someone who's in the same tier as Dejounte Murray. Trae is the ceiling and the floor for the Hawks. Not a bad player just not a truly great one either.

[ShootersShoot]

Most have them winning 46,47 wins next season (google). So, people really do think things have changed. I think the rational for an increased win total is due to a combination of a week east, the additions of KP, NAW, and Kennard and the internal improvements of guys like Daniels, Rischer, JJ, and Okongwnw. I don't agree, I think they are paper tigers but we'll see.

If they are healthy, it isn't unreasonable. KP, if he's any kind of healthy, is the best scorer that Trae's played alongside in his entire career, for example. And yeah, two top teams in the East are going to be very different, and then they made some good additions, maybe some internal improvement...

In regard to Trae, as the main guy he is just too hard to build around. The Hawks have killed themselves doing so.

Disagree, big time. They didn't do any of what they really needed to in order to build sensibly around him, which was the larger issue.

We'll see this season. Trae really has no excuse this season especially if healthy. The east is beyond weak, and this is the best team he has ever had arguably. They should finish top 5 on paper. If the Hawks are still fighting for a play-in spot this year, can't see the Hawks resigning him to 70 million a year.

Hes going into another season without an all star teammate...

[HMFFL]

Trae should focus on defending more, stop with the low % 3-pointers, focus on his midrange more, and not leading the league in turnovers would help.

Leading the league in turnovers means a lot less when he's also leading the league in APG.

But actually having other worthwhile scorers, including at least one guy who can initiate his own offense, should make a big difference in the specific usage he'll have to run out on a nightly basis. If KP is healthy, that's a game-changer for Trae; he'd instantly be the best scorer that Trae has played with at any point in his Atlanta career, and that's not a trivial thing. And then having Okongwu finishing, with Risacher and NAW and maybe a slightly-improved Dyson hitting 3s...

Atlanta should look a fair bit better on O this year, if they're healthy.

I mentioned many areas of his game that he needs to improve on. You can bring up assists to his defense all you want but not many assist leaders have won a championship. Maybe Bob Cousey and Lebron James? I think Isiah Thomas lost to the Lakers the year he was the assist leader but I might be wrong.

He was a turnover machine in college and he has been one in the NBA. People continue to defend this.

You know all of this: On paper he appears to have the best roster surrounding him that he has had in his career. KP, Zaccharie Risacher, and others will be key. Having some three point threats on the team will open things up for Trae to have more success. The Hawks only had two players that made 100 or more threes last season.

[manlisten]

If they are healthy, it isn't unreasonable. KP, if he's any kind of healthy, is the best scorer that Trae's played alongside in his entire career, for example. And yeah, two top teams in the East are going to be very different, and then they made some good additions, maybe some internal improvement...



Disagree, big time. They didn't do any of what they really needed to in order to build sensibly around him, which was the larger issue.

We'll see this season. Trae really has no excuse this season especially if healthy. The east is beyond weak, and this is the best team he has ever had arguably. They should finish top 5 on paper. If the Hawks are still fighting for a play-in spot this year, can't see the Hawks resigning him to 70 million a year.

Hes going into another season without an all star teammate...

That's a byproduct of building a team around someone like Trae. If your best player is a fringe All-Star, your next best player is naturally going to also be a fringe All Star (Murray, KP) or a non All Star. It's something you're resigning self to so long as Trae is your #1.