In his response to Patrick Beverley, Trae Young had an interesting comment about what drives him as a person and basketball player, saying, "If you really know me and you really know how much I care about the game of basketball, you really know how much I'd rather see my teammates succeed than me. No matter what my numbers look like"
Perhaps the best supporting evidence for this quote is that Young has increased his assist numbers each year, leading the league with a ridiculous 11.6 assists a night last season.
If Young truly feels this way about his teammates, then he needs to change his game to support his squad best. While Young is an incredible player who has helped players succeed, he has a few glaring weaknesses that create challenges for them as well.
Young needs to move off the ball and give 110% on defense
Young has a bad habit of taking a break after he passes the ball. If the play does not involve Young, he often will linger well beyond the three point line, where he is no longer a threat. He rarely makes timely cuts, both on the perimeter and into the paint.
It makes sense why Young does this - he is the focal point of the Atlanta Hawks' offense and the weak link that teams attack on defense. When he's on the floor, his time without the ball on offense is his only chance to catch a breather.
But Young must break this habit if he wants to succeed, regardless of whether that success is defined by supporting his teammates, winning in the postseason, or earning the contract he desires. Young is an elite catch and shoot threat who possesses the basketball IQ to exploit weaknesses created by his team. If he continues to be a non-factor without the ball, a glass ceiling will hang over him, his teammates, and their playoff hopes.
The other area Young could help support his teammates is through his defense. It is important to note that Young is not the liability on defense that he once was. Gone are the days of visible lack of effort and depressing defensive performances. Still, merely being average isn't how you set your teammates up for success. For him and his fellow Hawks to succeed, Young has to go above and beyond as a defender.
The NBA star who most closely resembles Young's archetype as a player is Steph Curry. Like Young, Curry entered the league as a horrible defender, and at no point in his career could he keep up on the perimeter against stars in the playoffs. However, Curry worked harder than everyone on the court, racking up steals and being active in avoiding mismatches. As a result, teams struggled to take advantage of Curry's status as a defensive liability.
Young has to take a page from Curry's book. Young will also never be able to guard the star forwards of the Eastern Conference. But if he can actively work to avoid dangerous situations, the team will be in a much better spot.
Nobody (besides Pat Bev) is saying Young is a selfish player. But he needs to put his money where his mouth is by going above and beyond to support his teammates.