Hawks media day: GM Landry Fields praises Trae Young & 9 other key takeaways

The 2024-25 NBA season is upon us and media day marks the occasion with comments to stir up a whole host of emotions. First up to the microphone was Hawks general manager Landry Fields.

Fields addressed the current state of the roster, the potential future of some players, and their long-standing interest in one new addition in particular.

Here are the 10 most notable things that Fields said.

Landry Fields ‘Thrilled' with Trae Young’s Offseason Actions

It was not the first in the line of questions, but Fields’ thoughts on Hawks star Trae Young were very noteworthy in the context of their offseason moves and plans going forward. It certainly sounds like Young is a part of them.

The Hawks like what they have seen from him over the summer.

“I'm really thrilled with Trae this offseason and the steps that he has taken in his leadership and things that he's been working on, and the level of partnership that we have with him. And I'm excited for him. I think that this year for him is going to be one of his best, and I don't even mean that from a statistical standpoint. He's a fantastic player. The stats are going to be what they are because of who he is and the skill level that he has. But when I mean “best,” I mean, exactly what … we've seen,” Fields said. 

“Things that we're more in partnership with now and just making sure that. ‘Hey, this is one of the better players on this team,’ so it doesn't all come down to you. He understands it's a collective and that's part of who we are as well. Our understanding that the whole is something that we're always focused on.

“Watching him take those steps and practice those, I couldn't be more thrill for them. We're real excited, I'm really excited for him and how he's going to impact our group this year, we're looking forward to it” 

Landry Fields: Hawks “not a finished product”

While this comment alone comes off as a remark about the roster, and may very well be, Fields was speaking on the team’s full participation during organized team activities and what they had shown in those workouts.

He also said that the moves they made over the offseason helped moved them toward their “brand” of basketball – Hawks DNA – and added that he is excited about the group.

“I really believe [the offseason put Hawks on a path to championship contention],” Fields told reporters on September 30. “The group – from our staff to our coaches – they’ve worked tirelessly this summer. Going back to some moves that we made, to even the draft, really addressing some things that, for us, were really important to hit on going into this season, and adding more of the characteristics that we believe in time will net us those big results that we want.

Fields said, though, that their focus is controlling what they can control, which being connected as a group.

His only expectation at this point of the NBA calendar is “progress”

“Probably sick of me saying that. But it really is about that. There is a style of play that, for us, is within our control. And it’s something that we harp on, and we practice, and we make sure that the individuals that we’re bringing into the franchise already fit to a certain degree and they’re already practicing those core elements. There is a core characteristic that we’re looking for with this group.

“For us, the expectation is [to] get out there, continue to make progress. And practicing that, the daily habits are very important to us. And for us, the belief is if you do that over a good span of time, all of the big goals, we’ll accomplish.”

Hawks’ new identity: Trae Young-centric offense, upgraded defense

Fields did not directly say it, but the Hawks are clearly planning to let Young dominate the ball in a manner more similar to his seasons before the Hawks acquired Dejounte Murray in 2022.

What he did say only bolstered the notion created by their offseason moves.

“We wanted to make sure that we had guys that, if you’re watching them play, what do they do when the ball’s not in their hands? [It’s] something very important for us: Making sure that there’s still movement. And that’s on both sides of the ball,” Fields said.

“Defensively, I think we needed a upgrade a little bit as well, and that was something that we wanted to go into the offseason looking to address.”

Fields also said depth was “huge,” noting the roster could present some lineup challenges.

He said they accomplished their goal of getting bigger on the wings. He also essentially confirmed intel regarding the team’s views on the shooting guard, small forward, and power forward spots, saying they are virtually interchangeable in their eyes.