NBA: Every team’s biggest question entering 2019-20 season
Atlanta Hawks: What does Trae Young have for an encore?
Trae Young‘s rookie season was far more prosperous than most had predicted on draft night. He averaged 19.1 points and 8.1 assists per game, dazzling arenas everywhere with long-range bombs and instinctive passes that landed him on the All-Rookie First Team.
His efforts only got the Atlanta Hawks 29 wins, but for a player with bust potential as a diminutive point guard, his early on-court production was a welcomed sight.
Heading into his sophomore campaign, the former Oklahoma Sooner faces a new set of challenges that come with far more pressure.
It was easy for Young to thrive when few paid him any attention, but his name will appear at the top of every scouting report moving forward.
At 6’2” and 180 pounds, he’s unable to muscle his way through defenders, instead, relying on hours of gym time to hone the necessary skills to get a shot off.
Trae Young was a bright spot for the Hawks during his rookie year. Can he lead them to the playoffs? He lands at 62 on the #SITop100 https://t.co/26CGBCpKoa pic.twitter.com/GNLALKaPR3
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) September 9, 2019
The Hawks have one of the most promising futures in the league given the young talent acquired through the years, but any semblance of playoff success hinges on the player they’ve chosen to lead them.
That doesn’t have to require a playoff appearance in 2019-20. For Young, it’s about making sure his production remains on an upward trajectory that should keep Atlanta climbing in the Eastern Conference.