Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young is considered one of the best playmaking point guards in the league today. But the 26-year-old is also aware that he doesn’t get enough respect compared to other players.
In a recent appearance on the “Club 520 Podcast“, podcast host Jeff Teague acknowledged that Young was often overlooked by peers. He said:
“We always talk about who doesn’t get the most respect, who should be an all-star this, and every time it’s ‘Trae Young is better than him. Trae Young is better than him.’ And it’s the truth.”
When asked to elaborate, Young shared, “I just think that’s why. I’m not super loud. You may think I’m loud in certain highlights, with the way I talk sometimes. But when it comes to boosting myself or something like that, I’m not.”
“I’d rather let my game do the talking and let everybody else speak for me,” he continued. “So, no matter if I’ve gotten the credit, I’d rather just live that way, and hopefully, it’s going to turn, and it’s going to flip. So, that’s my whole reason why I just stay the way I am.”
One of the co-hosts continued by pushing back against the narratives used to suppress Young’s status as one of the best point guards in the league. From the small market he plays in to his performance on the stat sheet, the Hawks guard’s resume speaks for itself.
The last two seasons have seemed more promising for Young, indicating a rise toward greater stardom. With consecutive All-Star nods, the 26-year-old is on the path to becoming a perennial selection. This is particularly true when considering the quality of his performance last season.
Young was statistically among the best point guards for the 2024-25 campaign. With an average of 24.2 points and 11.6 assists per game, he led the league in assists, while also being among the top 10 in scoring at his position.
While the guard was individually brilliant, Atlanta struggled during the regular season. The Hawks finished eighth in the East with a 40-42 record. Forced to compete in the Play-In tournament, the Hawks eventually came up short after losing to the Miami Heat.
Under other circumstances, this would present a bleak outlook for the following campaign. But the Hawks’ front office has been particularly impressive this summer. By investing heavily in roster upgrades, Atlanta has built a formidable core to support their star.
The upcoming season will be an intriguing one for both the Hawks and Young. Considering the recent rumors involving the guard’s position with the team, primarily owed to his pending contract extension, both parties will be closely monitoring the team’s performance in the 2025-26 season.
