Trae Young’s Return Hasn’t Sparked the Hawks - and the Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
Trae Young is back on the floor for the Atlanta Hawks, but the results haven’t exactly been the comeback story fans were hoping for. Since his return from an early-season injury, the Hawks have stumbled to a 2-8 record in games he’s played - a stark contrast to the 13-8 mark they’ve posted without him. That split isn’t just eye-catching; it’s telling.
Let’s be clear: the offensive side of the ball isn’t the issue. Trae’s still doing Trae things - dropping 35 points and dishing out 9 assists while shooting an absurd 7-of-8 from three in a recent loss to the Bulls.
That kind of production would usually be enough to carry a team to a win. But Atlanta’s problems run deeper, and they start on the defensive end.
The Defensive Drop-Off Is Staggering
The numbers speak volumes. With Young on the court, the Hawks are giving up 127.1 points per 100 possessions - dead last in the league.
When he sits, that number drops to 113.1, which would rank among the top 10 defenses in the NBA. That’s a 14-point swing in defensive efficiency, and it’s not just noise.
It’s a trend that’s been building for years.
Young’s defense has long been the elephant in the room. While he’s made strides in recent seasons to become more passable on that end - hovering closer to league-average metrics - this year has seen a noticeable regression. Whether it’s off-ball awareness, point-of-attack resistance, or just the physical limitations of being a smaller guard, the Hawks are bleeding points when he’s out there.
And in today’s NBA, where spacing, pace, and switchability dominate, one defensive liability can sink an entire unit. That’s exactly what’s happening in Atlanta.
Looking to New Orleans for a Blueprint?
Interestingly, there’s a potential blueprint playing out in New Orleans. The Pelicans, dealing with their own high-usage star in Zion Williamson, have taken a bold approach: bringing Zion off the bench.
It’s unconventional, sure, but it’s working. By staggering his minutes and letting him feast on opposing second units, the Pels have found a rhythm - rattling off five straight wins before a loss to Cleveland cooled them off.
The key to this strategy? Balance.
Zion still gets to dominate, but the team isn’t forced to compromise its starting unit’s structure or defensive integrity. It’s a creative workaround that’s unlocked more versatility across the rotation.
And it’s not just about Zion. New Orleans has found a new engine in Derik Queen, who’s stepped comfortably into a lead playmaker role. That’s allowed the Pelicans to manage redundancy when Zion and Queen share the floor, keeping the offense flowing without sacrificing cohesion.
Could the Hawks Try Something Similar?
The parallels in Atlanta are worth noting. Jalen Johnson has emerged as a dynamic playmaker in his own right, showing flashes of being able to run the offense and initiate sets.
When he shares the floor with Young, there’s a bit of overlap - two high-usage creators trying to find their rhythm in the same space. It’s not a bad problem to have, but it does raise questions about fit and flow.
Would Quin Snyder consider a similar approach to what the Pelicans are doing - perhaps staggering Young’s minutes more aggressively, or even exploring a bench role to help stabilize the defense early in games? It’s a long shot, but not out of the realm of possibility, especially if the losses keep piling up.
Of course, that kind of move would be seismic. Trae Young is the face of the franchise, a two-time All-Star, and the engine of Atlanta’s offense. But when the numbers are this stark - when the team is significantly better defensively and more successful overall without him - it forces tough conversations.
What Comes Next?
The Hawks are now below .500, a far cry from preseason expectations. This was supposed to be a bounce-back year, a chance to climb the Eastern Conference standings and make some noise in the playoffs. Instead, they’re stuck in a frustrating cycle - explosive offense, leaky defense, and too many L’s.
Trae Young is still an elite offensive talent. That hasn’t changed.
But for Atlanta to truly turn the corner, they’ll need to find a way to hide his defensive shortcomings or build a system that minimizes them. Whether that means lineup tweaks, rotation changes, or a more dramatic shift remains to be seen.
One thing’s for sure: the current formula isn’t working. And with the season slipping away, time is running out to find the right fix.