The Atlanta Hawks have gone 13-11 without Trae Young and 2-8 with Trae Young this season.
The former Oklahoma star has always been a polarizing figure around the NBA, but the situation is getting too big to ignore right now. Quin Snyder’s team looked better with Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels running the offense, and its defense has also taken a big hit with Young back in the mix. More than that, an NBA executive told insider Ryen Russillo that even his own teammates don’t seem to enjoy having him on the court.
Hawks players don’t like to play with Trae Young
“It’s hard to think of a team that’s trying to win this season that Trae would help, especially once you factor in what that team would be losing from the players they would have to send back as matching salary. He doesn’t defend. He doesn’t rebound. Guys hate playing with him,” Russillo said on his podcast.
Young, who has dealt with injuries in the past and is a streaky scorer, doesn’t have much trade value around the league right now. There have been multiple rumors about his demeanor rubbing people the wrong way, and whoever trades for him would have to pay the remainder of his $45.9 million contract this season.
He’s also got a player option worth $48.9 million for next season, and with no guarantee that he will stay with the team that gets him, there aren’t many — if any — destinations that make sense for him right now.
He’s averaged 19.3 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 10 games this season. Young has put his team in a tough spot ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.