The Atlanta Hawks' Cinderella run in the 2021 playoffs might be over, but Trae Young says things are just getting started for the franchise.

Only the Hawks faithful probably expected Atlanta to make a deep playoffs run, so it came as a shock to a lot of people when Young and Co. made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. While that memorable stretch ended in disappointment after the Milwaukee Bucks sent them packing in Game 6, the team should only be proud of themselves and what they have accomplished in an up-and-down season.

For Young, he believes the “future is Atlanta” and that they would be playoffs and title contenders for the years to come.

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Had Trae Young said that before the 2020-21 season started, many people would be mocking him. But after what he has shown in the 2021 postseason–that elite shooting, confidence and swag–there is reason to believe the Hawks are on the rise.

Young proved to everyone he is a superstar, and with the Hawks full of talent in the likes of John Collins, Cam Reddish and Kevin Huerter, there is a lot more upside and untapped potential waiting to be unleashed.

Right after their Game 6 loss on Saturday, Young tweeted that they will be back in the East Finals–hinting and warning the entire NBA that they'll get the job done next time.

Of course that is easier said than done, especially with teams making changes year. Nonetheless, will we really doubt this Hawks team that made huge strides in the first playoffs of their young core?