Trae Young is unequivocally optimistic about his team this season, noting the Atlanta Hawks can challenge for a spot in the playoffs in his second NBA campaign, after challenging for the Rookie of the Year award during his first stint in the pro hardwood.

“I think we have a chance to make the playoffs this year,” Young told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports with the utmost confidence. “And I know that there are going to people out there that don’t believe it, which is fine and that comes with it. But I truly do.

“Without Vince Carter on the team, we’re the youngest team in the NBA. We’re still building chemistry, but as long as the chemistry is there and we click early in the season, I think we’re going to be a tough team if we connect on the defensive end because we can score.”

Young averaged 19.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 8.1 assists during his rookie season, numbers that are only bound to climb overtime with another training camp under his belt and more familiarity with his teammates.

“We have the talent to score and we play hard,” said Young, whose Hawks finished with a 29-53 record, four spots shy of the last playoff seat. “We just have to be able to put a full 48-minutes up each and every night and treat every game like a playoff game. If we do that, then I feel like we have a really good chance of making the playoffs.”

The goal is surely ambitious, but still possible — as teams like the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons bound to be a question to make the postseason for a second consecutive year.