Lakers' LeBron James sends message on Hawks' Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks fans aren’t the only ones miffed by Trae Young’s absence from this year’s All-Star team, pending an invite as an injury replacement, which he said he would accept.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is also at a loss for why Young was left out again.

In response to a fan’s commentary on Young’s numbers this season and how incredible they are, especially at his size, capping off the sentiments with a question about Young continuing to be “disrespected,” garnering a response from James.

“AGREED!!! I’m not quite understanding this! Cause it can’t be about Ws/Ls cause cats have definitely gotten in with wayyy nastier records in the past,” James said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on February 2. “He be cooking EVERY NIGHT! Stop it! He’s an All-[Star] for sure. Something is REAL [fish]-E.”

Young had just dropped 32 points and 15 assists in a win over the visiting Phoenix Suns, adding three steals in a season that has seen him lock in on the defensive end more than ever.

He is currently tied for the eighth-most deflections per game and is in sole possession of the eighth-most charges drawn, ranking right behind teammate Clint Capela. He is also averaging the seventh-most steals per game.

James is also not the only one to argue that the Hawks’ 21-27 can’t be the issue.

Brad Rowland of the “Locked On Hawks” podcast noted that Paolo Banchero is set to make his All-Star debut as a reserve despite worse numbers than Young.

The Magic are 26-23 on the season, and they are 4.5 games ahead of the Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings. But Young’s 27.1 points, 11.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds are superior to the reigning Rookie of the Year’s 23.0/5.0/6.9 line.

All-Star reserves are selected by the league’s head coaches.

Trae Young gets honest about All-Star snub after Hawks beat Suns

Young finished second in fan voting, counting for 50% of the total vote this season. But he finished sixth in the media and player votes, which counts for 25% of the total vote apiece. 

That was one spot and two spots, respectively, behind Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who earned a spot over Young averaging 25.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds this season.

“I got a lot of love for the fans. I got a lot of love for my fans out there. I ain't got much to say about it right now,” Young told reporters postgame.

“I would [go] just because I know I'm not representing just myself. And instead of being selfish and being a a****** towards it, I'm just going to be honest. I mean, I could. But I know I'm not representing just myself. And I ain't even got offered yet, so who knows if they will offer me. That's how funny it is.

“If I do, I know I wouldn't be just representing just myself. So I would go. But want to get the invite, of course.”

Young finished in the top three in player and media voting in each of his previous All-Star seasons. He has noted that he would need to get voted in by the fans to be selected as an All-Star for a third time.