The Atlanta Hawks exited the 2022-2023 season the same way they entered: with a ton of Trae Young highlights, with a bit of promise, but a ton of doubt.
The Hawks were handed a tough matchup against the Boston Celtics and were on all accounts overmatched. Yet, they found a way to avoid being swept and showed up in Game 3 with a glimpse of best-case scenario. In that game, Young and Dejounte Murray clicked, proving that pairing Young with an equally powerhouse guard in the backcourt has potential.
But now, as the Hawks head into another long and sad offseason, that’s all they’re working with. They managed to steal another game versus Boston, via a Trae Young patented game-winner. Even then, the win felt cold–and not in the way that Young intended it. It felt unsustainable, as though Young’s clutch performance was only game-saving. How many more times can Young bail Atlanta like that?
Back in February, Hawks management tried to shake things up by bringing in a new head coach in Quin Snyder to replace Nate McMillan. It was a lifeboat, if there ever was one, to save what was an underwhelming start to the Hawks’ season.
If Murray’s arrival was meant to change the scene in the East, it certainly wasn’t happening then. The former All-Star from the San Antonio Spurs was getting his numbers, but it was a classic “your turn, my turn” situation with Young. It didn’t translate to wins.
The struggles of the regular season came back to haunt the Hawks at the end. It manifested in their path to the playoffs. Despite impressively defeating the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament, it set up a doomed meeting with the Celtics.
The signs were all there: a blowout in Game 1. Another blowout in Game 2. A last-second shot by Young to avoid elimination in Game 5. There were bad times and a bit of good, exciting times where Young and Murray could flex. In the end, it was still another early exit from the playoffs.
There’s promise in the future though. Coming into next season, Snyder will have a full offseason of training and tweaks, and a whole lot of learning from his new team. What’s more important–an underrated value–is that he has Young’s vote of confidence.
"I believe with [Snyder] here, this city's going to win a championship," Young said in his exit interview with the media. "He brings something special to our team. I really enjoy playing for him.”
This is a good sign for the Hawks, particularly for Young, who’s had reported clashes with McMillan during his tenure. The biggest question as the Hawks contemplate on the lost season, however, is: is the feeling mutual?
Do they believe that with Young here, the city’s going to win a championship?
The moves in the offseason and into next season’s trade deadline will need to address that.
