Has Trae Young had enough of Atlanta's frustrating front office? This is a question only Young knows the answer to, however, it is understandable if the star has had enough. Consider the heights the team reached in 2021 when they brought in capable scorers and valuable veteran contributors. In the years since, the Hawks have yet to add a capable second option next to Young. The team's idea of paying top dollar to bring in another point guard who was a defensive liability was doomed from the start.
While the team does have a number of promising young pieces, how patient is Trae willing to be? While Atlanta has paid top dollar, Young holds all the power in an NBA that caters to the players. While this is far better than catering to billionaire owners, it does have an unfortunate effect on the fans. The most glaring example of this is within Trae's own draft class, former Maverick Luke Doncic. While Doncic wasn't traded of his own accord, it is a reminder of how rarely franchise players are able to stay with their original teams.
Atlanta Should Blame Trae Young if Friday is His Final Game With Hawks
With this in mind, it is very much on the table Friday's play-in game is the final time we see Trae Young in Atlanta colors. The guard's want to win is clear, and the Hawks are continually failing to give him that chance. It is fair to wonder how much longer the guard will be in his prime in a league that isn't kind to undersized players.
Young is only twenty-six and likely has 5-6 great seasons left; however, in today's league, that isn't a huge window to win a championship. Does Trae believe that has any chance of happening in Atlanta? Another question that only the point guard knows the answer to, however, from the outside, it would be understandable if frustration has reached a boiling point.
Tuesday night's loss to the Magic saw Young as frustrated as Atlanta fans have ever seen the point guard getting ejected well after the game had been decided. Was this a hint of things to come, or simply a frustrated player who badly wanted to win?
Trae Young is the best thing that has happened to the Hawks in the last decade, and no matter how this offseason plays out will remain an important piece of franchise history. Is the final page of this story happening Friday night in Atlanta?