Atlanta Hawks lose in Trae Young’s return as telling stat suggests it’s time to trade him

A key stat suggests the Atlanta Hawks are better without Trae Young

The Hawks got 43 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists from Jalen Johnson, but it wasn’t enough.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker also scored 28 points off the bench, but the Hawks suffered a bad loss to a team they should have beaten.

There has been a lot of talk about the Hawks playing better, especially on the defensive end, without Young and this loss did not do Young any favors.

The fact is that the Hawks are a better team without Young this season. According to StateMuse, the Hawks have posted a win percentage of .591 this season without Young and a .333 win percentage with Young.

The Atlanta Hawks could trade Trae Young

Johnson has shown he is the guy in Atlanta as he has taken a superstar-type leap this season.

With Johnson’s emergence, the Hawks could be compelled to build the team around him moving forward.

Young is currently in the last guaranteed year of his deal, although he has a $49.0 million player option for 2026-27. 

He could decline that option and become an unrestricted free agent this coming offseason if the Hawks don’t sign him to an extension by then.

The Hawks may have to seriously consider shopping Young by the trade deadline, if he doesn’t mesh well upon his return and Atlanta keeps losing games.