Chad Mirara

Chad Mirara

Data Analyst

The Anti-Trae Young Blitz In Current NBA Discourse is Uncalled For and Based on Fiction

8 minute read

Published:

In recent months, NBA discourse has taken a peculiar turn. Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks’ dynamic point guard and three-time All-Star, has become the subject of an unfounded narrative: that he has “miniscule trade value” and is somehow untradeable. This take has proliferated across social media, podcasts, and even some mainstream basketball coverage. But here’s the reality: this narrative is not just wrong—it’s completely disconnected from facts, basketball analytics, and basic economic principles of NBA trades.

The Fiction: “Nobody Wants Trae Young”

Let’s address the elephant in the room. The primary fiction being peddled is that Trae Young has minimal trade value because:

  • He’s a “defensive liability”
  • He’s a “ball-dominant” player who doesn’t fit modern systems
  • Teams wouldn’t give up significant assets for him
  • He’s on a max contract that’s somehow untradeable

Each of these points crumbles under even the slightest scrutiny.

The Facts: What Trae Young Actually Is

Elite Offensive Production

Trae Young is one of the most productive offensive players in the NBA. Let’s look at what he actually does on a basketball court:

Scoring Prowess:

  • Averaged 25+ points per game for five consecutive seasons
  • One of only a handful of players who can score efficiently from all three levels
  • Elite three-point shooter with deep range that warps defensive schemes
  • Exceptional free throw shooter (typically 85%+) who draws fouls at an elite rate

Playmaking Elite:

  • Led the league in total assists in 2022 (737 assists)
  • Consistently ranks in the top 3 in assists per game
  • One of the best pick-and-roll operators in NBA history
  • Creates high-quality shots for teammates at an elite rate

Historical Context

When you compare Trae Young to other point guards at the same age, he’s in rarefied air. By age 25, Trae had:

  • Multiple All-Star selections
  • Multiple All-NBA selections
  • Led a team to the Eastern Conference Finals
  • Compiled statistical achievements comparable to Hall of Fame guards

Players with similar early-career production: Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Steve Nash. Notice something? These players all had tremendous trade value (or would have if they were ever on the block).

Debunking the “Defensive Liability” Myth

Yes, Trae Young is undersized at 6’1” and isn’t winning Defensive Player of the Year awards. But let’s inject some reality into this conversation:

Context Matters

  1. Team Defense: The Hawks’ defensive issues have been systemic, not solely because of Trae. Poor defensive schemes, roster construction, and coaching changes have all played roles.

  2. Offensive Value > Defensive Weakness: In the modern NBA, elite offensive players have more impact than above-average defenders. Trae’s offensive production is so elite that it overwhelms his defensive limitations.

  3. Precedent: Multiple championship teams have won with “defensive liability” point guards:

    • Isaiah Thomas’ Celtics (2017) made the ECF
    • Stephen Curry has faced similar criticism throughout his career
    • Kyrie Irving won a championship despite defensive questions

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Advanced metrics show that lineups with Trae Young consistently have positive net ratings. Why? Because his offensive impact (+8 to +10 offensive rating) far outweighs any defensive negatives (-2 to -3 defensive rating in most seasons).

The “Ball-Dominant” Strawman

Critics claim Trae Young is “too ball-dominant” to fit with other stars. This argument falls apart when you remember:

Recent History Disproves This

  • 2021 Playoff Run: Trae led the Hawks to the ECF playing alongside other capable players, elevating everyone’s game
  • International Success: Young has shown he can play off-ball when needed
  • Assists Numbers: You don’t average 10+ assists by being a black hole

Ball-Dominant ≠ Bad

Some of the most valuable players in NBA history have been ball-dominant:

  • LeBron James
  • Luka Dončić
  • James Harden
  • Russell Westbrook (before decline)

Teams don’t avoid these players—they build around them or pair them with complementary pieces.

The Trade Value Reality Check

Here’s what people claiming Trae has “miniscule trade value” are missing:

What Teams Would Actually Offer

If the Hawks put Trae Young on the trade block tomorrow, here’s what would realistically happen:

Contenders Without Elite Point Guards Would Line Up:

  • Teams like the Lakers, Nets (depending on roster), Magic, Spurs (if accelerating rebuild)
  • Multiple teams would offer packages including:
    • Multiple first-round picks
    • Young players on rookie contracts
    • Potentially other All-Star caliber players

Historical Comparisons:

  • Damian Lillard (age 33, less team control) netted Jrue Holiday + picks
  • Donovan Mitchell netched multiple unprotected picks + players
  • Trae Young (age 26, in his prime, on a reasonable max) would command similar or greater value

The Contract Isn’t a Problem

Trae’s max contract is:

  • Appropriate for his production
  • Includes years of team control through his prime
  • Actually an asset—you know you have a star locked up
  • Comparable to other max contracts that get traded regularly

Why This Narrative Exists

So if the facts clearly support Trae Young having significant trade value, why does this fiction persist?

Social Media Echo Chambers

  1. Hot Takes Get Engagement: Saying “Trae Young is untradeable” gets more clicks than “Trae Young is a valuable trade asset”
  2. Recency Bias: A bad stretch of games gets magnified
  3. Highlight-Driven Analysis: Defensive lapses make highlights; creating quality offense possesses isn’t as viral

Analytical Laziness

Many talking heads:

  • Don’t watch Hawks games regularly
  • Rely on surface-level stats (PPG, APG) without context
  • Ignore advanced metrics that paint a fuller picture
  • Don’t understand modern NBA roster construction

The Size Bias

There’s an inherent bias against smaller players in basketball discourse. Despite decades of evidence that skill matters more than size in many contexts, the “6’1” guard” label carries negative connotations that affect perception more than reality.

What Teams Actually Value

Let’s talk about what NBA front offices—not Twitter analysts—actually value:

Elite Self-Creation

Trae Young is one of maybe 10-15 players in the NBA who can create high-quality shots for themselves and others in the halfcourt. This skill is extraordinarily rare and valuable, especially in playoff basketball.

Gravity and Spacing

Trae’s shooting range creates spacing that few players can replicate. He warps defensive schemes from 30+ feet, opening up opportunities for teammates.

Age and Timeline

At 26 years old, Trae Young is:

  • In his prime
  • Has 6+ years of high-level play ahead
  • Aligns with any competitive timeline

Proven Playoff Performer

Trae’s 2021 playoff run wasn’t a fluke—he averaged 28.8 PPG and 9.5 APG while leading the Hawks past the Knicks and 76ers. He’s proven he can elevate his game when it matters most.

The Real Question

The real question isn’t whether Trae Young has trade value—he objectively does, and significant value at that. The real questions are:

  1. Should the Hawks trade him? (Different discussion entirely)
  2. **What package would be fair value? ** (Multiple picks + young players + possibly an All-Star)
  3. Which team’s system maximizes his value? (A team with defensive personnel and modern spacing)

Conclusion: Facts Over Fiction

The narrative that Trae Young has “miniscule trade value” is basketball malpractice. It ignores:

  • His elite offensive production
  • His age and contract situation
  • Historical precedents for similar players
  • What NBA front offices actually value
  • Basic principles of supply and demand (elite point guards are rare)

This isn’t to say Trae Young is perfect or without legitimate criticisms. But the idea that he’s somehow untradeable or has minimal value is pure fiction, divorced from reality, and frankly, disrespectful to one of the most talented offensive players of his generation.

If the Hawks ever decided to trade Trae Young, they would have their pick of multiple strong offers from teams eager to acquire a 26-year-old, three-time All-Star point guard who can score and create at an elite level. That’s not an opinion—that’s how NBA economics actually work.

The Anti-Trae Young blitz isn’t just uncalled for—it’s embarrassingly detached from basketball reality. It’s time for the discourse to catch up with the facts.

What do you think? Are the Trae Young critics way off base, or is there merit to the defensive concerns? Let me know in the comments.

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