Two years after reaching the Eastern Conference finals, the Atlanta Hawks are declining. A play-in position last season ended in a first-round loss to the Heat, sparking a front-office and head-coaching upheaval. They’ll face the Heat again in the play-in on Tuesday with the franchise’s future at stake.
League insiders say the Hawks’ front office has ownership’s agreement to trade All-Star point guard Trae Young in the offseason.
It’s seasonal. Tony Ressler told The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz in March that he would consider moving players. Months before, Shams Charania and Sam Amick reported escalating tensions between Young and previous head coach Nate McMillan, sparking team meetings and concerns about Young’s leadership. Coaches trumped stars. If the Hawks don’t make “inroads” in the playoffs, TNT’s Chris Haynes suggested Young would desire a trade.
With a projected play-in or postseason exit, the Hawks may change tactics even if Trae wants to stay.
After Travis Schlenk departed in December after the Hawks’ terrible start, Landry Fields, Kyle Korver, and February hire Quin Snyder took control.
League insiders say Snyder demanded—and evidently has—significant power over personnel selections throughout months of conversations before his February appointment. Several high-level decision-makers from competing teams believe Snyder has the last say since Atlanta’s executive office is collegial.
New management generally reorganizes teams to meet their vision. What are the Hawks and Snyder building?
Hawks players have acknowledged Snyder’s motion ideas, but although there has been movement, it’s nothing like his best offense in Utah, when he coached for eight seasons with a.585 winning %. Most notably, the Hawks are playing faster—from ninth in possession time under Nate McMillan to first after dismissing him, per Inpredictable. Young’s 24-second dribble at the end of regulation in Atlanta’s loss to Philadelphia last Friday shows the Hawks’ half-court offense’s immobility.
Atlanta’s midseason changes are unlikely due to Snyder’s coaching and practice shortage. since February.
Young never sustained off-ball activity despite convincing the old front office to trade three first-round picks for Dejounte Murray last summer. The Hawks anticipated Murray would use screens and handoffs to weaponize Young like Damian Lillard at Oklahoma.
Young’s college attitude would’ve transformed the season. Trae can move without the ball and has made 40.3 percent of his 3s off the grab. Young is the only player with under 1.5 attempts per game among the 52 qualifying players to make over 40% of their catch-and-shoot 3s in 2017-18, according to Second Spectrum (minimum 500 attempts).
Young seldom cuts behind tired opponents when he doesn’t have the ball. Young occasionally avoids open shots. Atlanta had another “your turn, my turn” season.
Snyder wants to improve these habits if Young and Murray stay. AJ Griffin, Saddiq Bey, and Jalen Johnson may be activated if he can work things out. Bogdan Bogdonovic, who re-signed for four years and $68 million, may thrive in motion offense. Atlanta’s problem isn’t scoring, even if Young and the offense improve.
Hawks defense has always struggled. Young has had a bottom-half defense every year. Snyder knows that since the Jazz ball-screened and closed off Young. Utah was another team. Trae has improved lately, but a little guard on defense can’t be concealed.
Snyder has used Johnson, a 6-foot-8 inside/outside player, more. Next season, center Onyeka Okongwu should play more. The younger Okongwu excels Clint Capela in space, giving the Hawks more scheme choices.
Wing defense remains weak. Bey’s defense irritated the Pistons. The Hawks’ 2019 fourth-round selection De’Andre Hunter struggles with lateral movement. Griffin’s new.
Atlanta’s defensive concerns go beyond Young. He’s not even a problem when the Hawks’ “stoppers” are turntiles. Despite enough personnel, a smaller guard who is consistently targeted in ball screens may stretch the defense in the playoffs.
Without Young, Hawks would change. Murray creates and defends well. He takes too many defensive chances and shoots early on offense.
Murray outperformed Atlanta. Murray must justify Young’s exorbitant price regardless of performance. Even if the value is less than the three choices they gave up, the Hawks should explore dealing him this summer as a 2024 free agency. Reduce losses to profit.
Superstar deals are uncommon unless the player agitates. Hence, Atlanta may form a wing-heavy club or a Cavs-like double-big frontcourt around Young and Murray this summer.
Despite Atlanta’s play-in, Young isn’t a title-winner. Like Lillard in Portland, he hindered the team’s defense. Unlike Dame, he dislikes off-ball play. Trae needs a huge return because Young is 25 and under contract through 2025-26. Despite his flaws, he’s an NBA on-ball star. Each trade must contain an All-Star and/or notable players and choices.
Despite his achievements, Young must prove himself. Is he a great player doomed to mediocrity? The Hawks must decide whether to rebuild around their star or start over to reach the East finals.
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