Atlanta’s offense is humming, ranking third in assists per game (30.1). At the center of it all? Snyder’s doing an excellent job with the Hawks, but Trae Young’s season is off to a uniquely bizarre start. Historically, Young tends to start slow – his career splits show that his TS% is consistently low in October and November before climbing later in the season. By the All-Star break, he’s typically back to averaging over 25 ppg, so this trend isn’t unusual.
This year, Young’s numbers stand out for a mix of reasons:
- Lowest ppg (20.7) since his rookie season
- Lowest TS% (54.0%) since his rookie year
- NBA’s highest apg (12.0) since John Stockton in 1994
Young’s an elite scorer and shooter, but his passing is arguably even better. He might be the best playmaker since Steve Nash. It’s puzzling why some fans dislike him – he’s incredibly skilled. Recently, he’s been less aggressive early in games, likely due to defenses doubling him and relying more on teammates like Bogdan Bogdanovic, Hunter and Johnson. His Achilles injury is another factor. Once he’s fully healthy and Risacher starts consistently hitting open looks, the team should be in great shape.
That said, they still need a reliable finisher – Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu have been frustratingly inconsistent finishing inside. Hawks should be looking to flip Capela’s expiring $22.2 million contract (likely via three-team trade) for a center on a multi-year contract that their team has plenty of frontcourt depth.
This year, Snyder has shifted away from a ‘Trae-centric’ offense, using him as a decoy more often.
“Trae’s gravity forces 1.5 defenders to track him at all times. We’re exploring how to use that to open opportunities for others,” Larry Nance Jr. said via New York Times. “Decoy Trae Young is something new, and we’re excited about it.”
Defensively, Young’s making real strides. Known for his physical limitations on that end, he’s having his best defensive season yet – taking charges, getting clutch steals, and getting blown by less often (thanks in part to Daniels).
His Achilles injury is likely impacting his shooting, especially for deep threes. Guards like Young rely on lift, and an injured Achilles affects the entire leg, from stability to landings. At 26, age isn’t the issue – it’s about playing through injury. Achilles problems affect confidence too, and basketball is as much mental as physical. Shooters rely heavily on their legs, so discomfort can throw off rhythm. This also lines up with Young’s history of starting slow in the first 20 games and heating up by mid-December.
If Young follows his usual trajectory, we’ll likely see him bounce back soon. It’s encouraging that the Hawks are winning games even while he’s not at 100 percent. With Young improving and Snyder’s system evolving, the team is in a strong position to keep building momentum.
