Trae Young thinks top-level players may want to join the Hawks.
The 20-year-old guard, who had a standout rookie season as he averaged 19.1 points and 8.1 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field, thinks the team’s young core will attract free agents to Atlanta.
"If you're looking to have the ball in your hands, if you're looking to score a lot of points — I mean, a lot of players in the league know if you come play with me, I'm going to make sure I get you the ball,” Young said during an interview with Atlanta station 92.9 The Game. “I think that's something that attracts a lot of big players."
Young was unanimously named a 2019 First-Team All-Rookie while Hawks teammate Kevin Huerter made the second team. Huerter scored 9.7 points per game and knocked down 38.5% of his 3-point attempts for Atlanta in 2018-19.
"I was just super excited," Young said about the selection. "First, not only for myself but glad I was joining my teammate Kevin Huerter to be a part of the rookie team. To be unanimous is an honor and I'm just super excited and blessed to be here."
Trae Young put up 33 PTS (12-18 FG), 12 AST (2 TO), 7 REB in the Hawks win over the 76ers!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 4, 2019
Rookies with the most 30 PTS & 10 AST GMS:
24: The Big O
7: Trae Young
5: Steph Curry
5: Michael Jordan
3: LeBron James pic.twitter.com/oExk1go1Wv
Young, however, said he’s hoping to win a bigger award — the 2019 Rookie of the Year. Young’s main competition for that honor is Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, who he was traded for in a draft-day deal.
"I would love to win it," Young said. "My idols growing up, a lot of them won it. ... Of course it's on my list that I would like to win but that's not my main goal. But of course, I would love to win it."
The Hawks finished 2018-19 with a 29-53 record and missed the playoffs for a second straight season. They’ll hold the eighth and 10th picks in the 2019 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 20.