Watching the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024-25 season has been a roller-coaster experience with a predictable ending. Atlanta is facing elimination yet again on Friday night after dropping last year's play-in to the Bulls. Now it is the Miami Heat that will attempt to give Atlanta a season-ending loss. Either team that wins is likely only extending their playoff lives by a week, doomed to face Cleveland in round one.
With this in mind, Atlanta is set for a pivotal game with one obvious weakness. Who other than Trae Young can get a bucket when the team needs it most?
Losing Jalen Johnson for the season made sure the team's biggest weakness is a lack of a second scorer. Orlando exposed this reality in Tuesday's game, putting all their defensive intensity on Trae Young. The team realized that if they continually forced the ball out of Trae's hands, there wasn't anyone consistently capable of putting the ball on the floor and creating a good shot. It has long been Atlanta's weakness and remains one that the team still hasn't properly addressed.
Trae Young is Yet to Be Given the Proper Offensive Support from Atlanta's Front Office
The two most notable players in Trae's draft class are Jaren Jackson Jr. and Luka Doncic. Consider for a moment that Jackson has played with Desmond Bane and Ja Morant. While Luka Doncic was given Kyrie Irving in Dallas, and now plays with LeBron James and Austin Reaves. There is still an argument to be made that the best teammate Young has been given was John Collins. While Collins is loved by Atlanta, he isn't a second scorer on a serious contender.
Even underwhelming first-overall pick DeAndre Ayton played with Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Atlanta has failed Young in many ways, and the lack of a second scorer remains the team's biggest weakness in Friday's win-or-go-home game.
It is fair to wonder if the Hawks lose, whether it could be the last time we see Trae in an Atlanta uniform. Tuesday's actions didn't appear to be those of a star content with his franchise. Young has a number of reasons for valid frustration and would be well within his rights to look for an exit from a team that hasn't done the point guard any favors.
No matter how it plays out, Friday's game is going to be defined by whether or not the Hawks can find a surprise second contributor or Young can find a way to defy a defense that will have their entire game plan focused on the star point guard.