The Atlanta Hawks appeared to be future champion contenders as Trae Young helped them advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. For Atlanta supporters, though, the past three seasons have only resulted in disappointment. Forget about competing for championships; they no longer even make it to the postseason. Therefore, this offseason, there have been increasing reports that Young and the Hawks are going to part ways.
Despite the Hawks’ dismal state, Jeff Teague, who played for the organization for seven of his career, doesn’t think the team wants to part with Ice Trae. Teague spoke on his Club 520 podcast on the three-time All-Star’s status with the team.
The 2021 NBA Champion highlighted the importance of the Hawks’ head coaches since Young joined the team in 2018. According to Teague, Hawks guard Nate McMillan produced his greatest work in 2021, and the team advanced to the Conference Finals.
Even if the Hawks haven’t been great since, Young has added more offensive weapons to his toolkit. Teague hinted that since his 2021 ECF appearance, the team hasn’t given him the necessary backing to compete in the NBA.
The Hawks won’t succeed, according to DJ Wells, Teague’s co-host, unless they move Young and start over without him. Teague, however, didn’t think so. In his opinion, the franchise still lacks a face around which to establish itself.
What’s the future of Trae Young?
Being one of the league’s top offensive players, Ice Trae is too valuable to let go. The former Hawks guard contended that if the organization traded its best player, the fan base would become completely disenchanted with the team, which would have a negative financial impact. Teague said :
“Bro, you can’t trade Trae Young. You got to still put butts in the seat. He’s must see TV, when he hoop, he puts on a show. He get 40, 28, and 11. Atlanta loves him, the fans like him,”
Teague also believes the Hawks aren’t currently receiving enough in exchange for a player of Young’s quality, a superstar. If they were to trade a player they have developed over the previous seven seasons for someone who isn’t able to make the same kind of contribution, what would be the point?
Regarding Young’s reputation throughout the league and in Atlanta, Teague was undoubtedly accurate. However, the guard for Atlanta has hinted that he might be leaving the Hawks.
