Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks have gotten off to a nightmarish start to the season.
After an offseason full of roster reconstruction speculation, there was some movement for the Atlanta Hawks but it didn’t involve the big moves that many were expecting them to make. Trae Young wasn’t traded and Dejounte Murray was given a contract extension. John Collins was sent to the Utah Jazz in what ended up being a salary dump, but there wasn’t the huge player movement that some speculation was going to happen this past offseason for the Hawks.
In the end, it was more the Hawks choosing to run things back than not. Through the first two games, the Hawks have left much to be desired. The team is 0-2 and, perhaps most concerningly, Young has once again gotten off to a forgettable start to the season.
The counting stats may not seem bad on paper; after all, Young is averaging 21 points and 11 assists, but his efficiency marks are pretty concerning. Young is averaging 23 percent shooting from the field on 21 shooting from 3-point range. He’s also been a minus-11 and minus-8 while on the floor for the Hawks through the first two games of the season.
In short, he’s been a liability more than not so far this season for the Hawks. If this trend continues, it’s only a matter of time before the questions surrounding Young and the Hawks grow louder.
At what point is it time to worry about Trae Young?
At the very least, the situation in Atlanta warrants some attention. Young didn’t have a banner year fitting in with Murray last season and there were already natural questions about their fit, once again, heading into this year. If Young can’t turn things around, those whispers are going to reemerge once again.
What the Hawks have to discern is whether this is real or not. Has Young been that impacted by the presence of Murray on the roster? Is it not even Murray’s presence on the roster? Is it a scheme? Is it something more?
There is likely some figuring out that has to take place over the next few weeks. But one thing is clear for now – if Young and the Hawks can’t turn this season around quickly, there’s a very good chance things begin to take a turn for the worse.
Quite frankly, the worst-case scenario for the Hawks this season isn’t missing the playoffs. It’s losing the commitment of their star guard.