Trae Young and the Hawks have steadily declined since their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2021 playoffs. They missed the playoffs the previous season and were ousted in the first round of the following two years. This year, the guard and the team want to put an end to their losing streak. Vincent Goodwill and David Aldridge think the club could have to change directions if they are unable to.
The players that had the most to gain and lose in the next season were listed on the most recent episode of Yahoo Sports’ Ball Don’t Lie podcast, which was hosted by the tandem. Aldridge stated that Young was among his top three picks. He said :
“I think he’s at a crossroads in his career… You look at that franchise and think, ‘Where are they going? What are they doing?’ I don’t see a plan to get them where they were a couple of years ago. So a lot more scrutiny is gonna fall on Trae.” It’s not his fault… “ “He’s an exquisite passer, a great scorer. But the question is how much do those things facilitate winning?”
He went on to say that the Hawks do not view the forthcoming season as a make-or-break one. The 59-year-old, though, thinks they would like Young to demonstrate that he can lead the team going forward and serve as the focal point around which the roster can be assembled.
Can Trae Young deliver the goods this season ?
Goodwill delivered his judgment, but Aldridge thinks it’s still unclear if Young can start as a first choice for a team that’s in the running for the championship. He used Stephen Curry as evidence for his remarks against the Hawks star, saying: “Is he a number 1 guy? I think the answer is clearly no… My question with him is can he be effective when he’s not dominating the basketball?”
“Like the one thing Stephen Curry has always had is the ability to facilitate scoring without the ball with his running about the baseline. You lose sight of him for a second, you got a problem… With Trae, you know where he is. He’s clapping for the ball somewhere,”
He praised the guard’s playmaking and big-time scoring skills but also pointed out that his style of play is only effective in ideal situations and won’t produce consistently high-caliber results.
Aldridge and Goodwill both agree that the Hawks would need to lessen their reliance on Young or go all in while building their roster.
There are three years left on the 25-year-old’s contract. For the final year, he has a player option, which he will probably decline in favor of a long-term deal. In 2025, Young’s current contract will expire, thereby giving the Hawks one year to make a decision.
