5 Disastrous mistakes the Hawks must avoid making this summer

3. Fracturing the Quin Snyder and Trae Young Relationship

It’s no secret that Trae Young has had a hard time seeing eye-to-eye with his former head coaches. While his clashes with Young were not the main reason McMillan was fired, they certainly played a part. A similar series of events happened with former head coach Lloyd Pierce who was Young’s first NBA head coach.

That’s why it’s such a welcome breath of fresh air for Hawks fans to see that Young is reportedly buying what Snyder is selling.

In Young’s post-game press conference following the Boston series, he said, “Quin (Snyder) is the future. I believe with him here that this city is going to win a championship.”

That might sound like press conference “talk” that everyone is expected to say but Young seems to truly mean it. In the same press conference, Young also acknowledged his lacking defensive prowess that has often led to up-and-down intensity on that side of the floor.

Accountability is imperative in the NBA, and if Snyder can instill a new-found drive within Young on both sides of the floor, nothing is stopping him from becoming a more well-rounded superstar.

That’s why the Hawks front office (and Young, for that matter) must do everything they can to ensure this relationship stays steady. Young surely knows his reputation around the league has soured and he seems ready to improve.

If the team allows Snyder to build what he wants to build, and Young stays willing to work, nothing is stopping this team.

It’s just a matter of staying the course and avoiding self-inflicted wounds.