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Coming out of Oklahoma, there was no consistent prediction on how Trae Young would transfer into the NBA. He spent one season in a Sooner uniform and averaged 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game. Young also turned the ball over five times and took 19 shots, 10 being three's, per game. The under sized guard drew Steph Curry comparisons because of his skinny build, quick release and ability to shoot from anywhere on the court.
The one difference between the college careers of Curry and Young was winning. Oklahoma finished 18-14 last season with an 8-10 record in Big 12 play. The Sooners were handed a first round exit from the NCAA Tournament and that was Young's last game. He was a top-five pick in this summer's NBA draft and was expected to make an immediate impact for the Hawks. The NBA season is halfway done so let's take a look at what Young has done in Atlanta through 41 games.
Statistical Contribution
Young has started all 41 games he has played in for the Hawks. In those games, he is averaging 15.5 points and 7.3 assists per game in 29.4 minutes. The rookie is shooting 39.4% from the field and turning the ball over four times per game. Young has scored 20 or more points in a game nine times this season. He set his season high of 35 points in just his third career game against the Cavaliers. Nine is also the number of games that Young has been held to single-digit points this season. His best game came on November 19 in a losing effort against the Clippers where he scored 25 points and dished out 17 assists.
Where Young made a name for himself in college was behind the three-point line. Fans were excited to see what he could do at the pro level from deep but so far, they have been disappointed. Young is averaging 1.4 three's per game while shooting just 28.8% from deep. He has made three or more three's in nine out of 41 games and has gone 14 games without making one. In the month of November, he went 17-86 from beyond the arc. No, that is not a typo. It comes out to 19.8%. Young is also not getting to the free throw line like he did at Oklahoma, averaging just four per game. This could have been expected of him given his size and strength.
The Hawks currently sit at 12-29 and are one of the worst teams in the NBA. they are a re-building team who will have another top pick in this year's draft. The team's record cannot be put on the shoulders of Young but they had to have expected more success from their top-five guy early on. It makes you think if they would have been happier with some guy who is playing in Dallas right now.
The Luka Doncic Effect
On draft night, the Hawks selected Luka Doncic with the third overall pick. They quickly sent him to Dallas for Young and a 2019 protected first-round pick. Doncic has taken the league by storm. The rookie out of the EuroLeague is averaging 19.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He is shooting 37.4% from three-point range and has a step back that is being compared to James Harden. Doncic has the make of a superstar who can lead a team for a long time in the future. What does this have to do with Young? A player is always compared to other players in his draft class.
When a trade is made on draft night, those two are linked forever. So far, Doncic wins.He is equipped with a better basketball body. Young will continue to grow but Doncic stands at 6'6 and has a solid build. Because of this, Doncic is a better rebounder and can take contact down low with ease. He has shot the ball better from all spots on the court including behind the three-point line. Is Young a better passer? He is averaging more assists but that is up for debate. If Young is given an edge in that department, it is not by much. In the end, if the numbers are put side-by-side, there is not much to discuss. Dallas looks to have their guy who can take over Dirk Nowitzki's role as the backbone of the franchise.
As unfair as it is, Young's rookie season will be compared to Doncic because of the trade. While it is just one season, Hawks' fans have to be wondering what it would be if Doncic was never traded.
Overall Grade: C
Coming out of college, Young had his flaws. Those flaws are being exposed in the NBA in his first 41 games. This is not to say that he will not improve but there is work to be done. He has shown flashes of what kind of player he can become. Young has 12 games with 10 or more assists and a game where he knocked down six three's. Over a three game span in early November, Young averaged 18.6 points and 11.6 assists per game. There have been flashes but consistency has been an issue.
In a six-game span during his poor shooting month of November, Young was 1-25 from beyond the arc. In a league that loves to call fouls, he has been unable to get to the free throw line with any consistency. young has just one game where he attempted 10 or more free throws. When he gets there, Young is shooting 78.8% from the charity stripe. Turnovers are a key aspect for a point guard, some will say the most important. Young had a turnover problem at Oklahoma but that was somehow over looked. Only highlights of his deep shots were shown instead of him trying to do too much and being careless. That has transferred into the NBA. He has 16 games with five or more turnovers through his first 41.
Young is 20-years-old and in his first season in the NBA. He will continue to grow and get better as a player. So far, he has not been what people expected after his highly publicized season at Oklahoma. He can still turn into a great player one day but do not expect him to be Curry anytime soon.
