The Atlanta Hawks have completed a transformative offseason in which they finally achieved their longtime goal of figuring out how to hide Trae Young on defense. Young has earned internal praise for an increased level of effort and consistency, but his game has long slanted toward offensive prioritization.
Thankfully, with a slew of roster moves clearly targeted at improving defensively, the Hawks can finally embark on their pursuit of a second Conference Finals appearance since 2021.
Young is one of the most extraordinary offensive players in NBA history, capable of scoring and facilitating at superstar levels. Since finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2018-19, he's averaged 26.5 points and 10.5 assists per game.
Even when one includes his rookie-year averages, Young ranks No. 13 in NBA history in points per game and No. 3 in assists per contest.
For as remarkable as those statistics may be, Atlanta has struggled to translate Young's individual brilliance to team success. Since reaching the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, it's missed the playoffs twice and finished above .500 just one time—back in a now distant 2021-22 campaign.
Thankfully, the Hawks have figured out how to bring the best out of Young and maximize his offensive value: By acquiring the type of personnel that can mask his flaws.
Hawks have added players who can mask Trae Young's defensive flaws
The multi-year effort to build the ideal team around Young was sent into overdrive when the Hawks acquired Dyson Daniels for Dejounte Murray. In his first year in Atlanta, Daniels proved to be the perfect backcourt partner for Young, winning Most Improved Player and earning All-Defense honors.
It was a fruitful 2024-25 campaign on multiple fronts, as Jalen Johnson looked the part of a potentially elite two-way player, and Onyeka Okongwu and No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher showed tremendous defensive potential.
With Daniels, Johnson, Okongwu, and Risacher, the Hawks have the developable talent to build a contender. The question, however, was whether or not they could find the veterans to provide ideal immediate support.
Following the acquisition of key players such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, and Kristaps Porzingis, the answer is a resounding yes.
Alexander-Walker helped the Minnesota Timberwolves make back-to-back Conference Finals appearances in 2023-24 and 2024-25 by excelling on both ends of the floor. He's an efficient three-point shooter and committed on and off-ball defender who can pick up players at multiple positions.
Porzingis, meanwhile, is one of the players who helped form the modern standard for the archetype of a 3-and-D big by protecting the rim and spacing the floor in an equally prolific manner.
Kennard isn't known for his defense, but he's a career 43.8 percent shooter from beyond the arc. With an infusion of veterans who can space the floor with volume and efficiency, Young should be able to conserve more energy on offense—and potentially expend more on defense.
The Hawks still need to see how this vision comes together on the court, but with young and athletic defenders and proven two-way veterans and floor spacers, Atlanta can finally mask Young's flaws and win again.