Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young Headed For Future Trade Divorce?

Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young, Nate McMillan, NBA News
NBA Analysis Network

The Atlanta Hawks got off to a nice start this NBA season as their blockbuster move to acquire Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs during the offseason was paying off. Atlanta was 7-3 out of the gate, playing good basketball on both ends of the court. However, since that point, they have been unable to consistently string together games.

The Hawks alternated wins and losses for eight games after that before losing five out of their next seven games. They have fallen into a bit of a funk, which can be traced back to another spat between All-Star Trae Young and head coach Nate McMillan.

Young has been dealing with a nagging right shoulder, which he has been getting treatment on. Last Friday, As detailed by Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, before the Hawks faced off with the Denver Nuggets, Young was getting his work done during the team’s shootaround. That is not something McMillan approved, and based on the team rules in place, if a player does not attend shootaround, they cannot start.

Once Young made it clear that he was going to miss the shootaround and make a decision about playing later on in the day, McMillan presented him with an ultimatum. Either come off the bench for the game or don’t show up. Young opted to not play as he was announced out with shoulder soreness.

The Hawks went on to win that game 117-109 as Murray had a big game with 34 points and eight assists. It was an excellent all-around game for the team as seven players scored in double-figures and everyone got involved. That has not always been the case this season with Young in the mix.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young & Atlanta Hawks Updates

Despite the presence of Murray, Young’s usage rate remains nearly identical to last season but his efficiency has cratered as he is shooting 40.9 percent overall and 28.9 percent on 3-pointers. The Hawks make the fewest passes per game as Young remains the focal point of the offensive attack but they are not as dynamic as in years past.

As a result, something is going to eventually give when it comes to the relationship between Young and McMillan. The two haven’t always seen eye-to-eye and there has been plenty of tension between the two and the entire locker room this season. Multiple team meetings have been held to try and smooth things over, but the issues seem to run pretty deep.

Young’s inability to mesh with Lloyd Pierce, the team’s head coach before McMillan, played a big part in his being fired in 2021. McMillan took over on an interim basis, leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. His job is safe for now, but if they are to reach their potential, he and his star have to get on the same page.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young & Atlanta Hawks Updates

In this day and age, players have no qualms about flexing their power and requesting trades even with multiple years remaining on their contracts. Could that be something we see Young do in the near future despite being in the first season of a five-year supermax extension?

If Young proves incapable of becoming the leader that the Hawks need him to be, eventually a trade could make sense for both sides. Right now that likely isn’t in the cards, as the Hawks have other players, such as John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela that could be on the move.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young & Atlanta Hawks Updates

Alas, given his importance to the franchise, the Hawks would likely fire McMillan and look for a new head coach that could mesh well with Young before they consider trading him. Very rarely does the head coach win out in a power struggle with the player, which this situation looks like it could eventually dissolve into given how much tension there has already been.

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