G – Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)
The NBA’s leader in total assists (741) for the second straight season, Trae Young finds himself on the outside of the All-NBA picture looking in this year. On the season, Young averaged 26.2 points, 10.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game across 73 games played. He finished with shooting splits of 42.9%/33.5%/88.6%.
Young struggled early in the year which is why his efficiency numbers are down, but he picked up his level of play down the stretch (44.4%/36.9%/88.2% splits in his final 47 appearances of the year). Young has turned into a polarizing player (not necessarily for any one particular reason) among fans, other players, and the media. That also likely played a role in his snub.
As a team the Hawks went 41-41 on the season, working their way out of the play-in into the #7 seed in the East.
There aren’t many who can create for teammates as effectively as Young can. Even in a “down year” for Young, he was still one of the most potent passers in the league, averaged over 26 points per game, and his team made the playoffs. That shows how well the 24-year-old has started his career.
Young received 1 third team vote. Young is a previous one-time All-NBA team selection, earning third-team honors last year.