Trae Young Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 09/19/98
Height: 6-2 / 1.88
Weight:180 lbs. / 81.6 kg.
Salary: $5,363,280
Born: 09/19/98
Height: 6-2 / 1.88
Weight:180 lbs. / 81.6 kg.
Salary: $5,363,280
Chris Vivlamore: Hawks could be without two key players vs. Celtics tomorrow: John Collins (bronchitis-type symptoms) is questionable. Trae Young (flu-like symptoms) is questionable.
What was your initial reaction to going to Atlanta and the Hawks? And how have the realities of the team and the city matched up with those expectations? Trae Young: My initial reaction was the “state of the unknown.” I was surprised that they traded for me, because they already had a point guard and I had heard that they weren’t going to draft one. But when I finally visited after draft night and met everyone in the organization, I was elated. I knew this was the right place for me. And I knew they would give me plenty of opportunities to succeed. Plus, knowing how young the team was and how we could grow together. This is easily the best city for me. I love the music and entertainment culture, and I believe that culture will help this organization get to the top.
How do you see the future for you and the Hawks? How quickly can you and the franchise turn things around for a team that struggled for a while before you were drafted? Trae Young: My goal is to ultimately be to the Hawks what Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were to the Thunder. Or what Stephen Curry is to the Warriors. I was able to see Russ and KD from day one when they got drafted to OKC, so I know what’s possible and I realize it may take a little time. But I’ve definitely seen the blueprint up close and personal.
Well, maybe not this summer, but two to three summers down the road, Trae’s ability to be a playmaker will potentially grow and become marketable for big-name free agents. When you are making your future projections, how much is that something you’re considering? Travis Schlenk: “I think, certainly, guys want to score, but we have to promise that we’re going to be a winning team. The majority of the time when free agents decide where they want to go, they are looking for a place that they want to be successful. We hope with not just Trae but all of our young guys that free agents will look at them and say, ‘You know what? If I go there, we have a chance to be a good team.’ That’s more of the plan than pinning it just on one player.”
