Predictions: Hawks not expected to contend, but …

4. Trae Young will play more like he did post-All-Star break

There are still plenty of reasons to remain skeptical of Trae Young’s potential as a superstar point guard. His defense — last among PG’s in DRPM, ranked in 17th percentile in opponent’s pick-and-roll ball-handler PPP — makes him a liability on the less glamorous end of the court and despite some flashes of brilliance, his offense is still a work in progress.

Fortunately, Young made great strides on that side of the floor last year following the All-Star break. A first half where he averaged 16.9 points and 7.6 assists with a .406/.312/.798 shooting line made the former Oklahoma Sooner look like a small, overmatched guard whose game wouldn’t translate to the NBA.

But once he settled in and started to figure out pro defenses, Young ignited with a 24.7 point and 9.2 assists per game run through the final 23 games of the season. During that stretch, Young converted 44.6 percent of his wide-open 3’s.

If even some of that production carries over to this coming season, it will unlock his preternatural passing ability, which will vastly improve the team’s offense.

It isn’t a stretch to say that everything the Hawks want to achieve hinges on how good Young becomes. If his season mimics or exceeds that two-month-long sample size, it’s a good sign for the future.