Hawks' Young: Missing All-Star Game should be called getting 'Traed'

Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young is tired of not getting his flowers.

Young wasn't among the All-Stars announced Thursday, prompting the 26-year-old to devise a new term for hopefuls who miss out on the honor.

This will be Young's fourth year missing out on the All-Star Game despite the seven-season veteran leading the NBA this campaign in assists per contest (career-high 11.4) and ranking first in clutch-time points (86) and assists (26). Young also has the most point-and-assist double-doubles this season with 28.

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder expressed his disappointment in Young's omission, highlighting the star guard's contributions, particularly late in contests.

"I feel like he's had the best year of his career," Snyder said Thursday. "I think statistically that's supported. He's the league leader in assists, that one jumps out, but then something as simple as clutch points and clutch assists.

"Not only is he scoring late in the game, but he's also passing late in the game."

Young is also averaging 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 2024-25.

He earned All-Star nods in 2020, 2022, and 2024, averaging more than 25 points per game in those seasons while owning a much better shooting percentage than he does now. Young is shooting a career-worst 40% from the field this campaign and 34% from three, his third-lowest mark since joining the NBA.

The Hawks' season has derailed recently, with the club losing its last seven contests. Earlier this week, Atlanta ruled out forward Jalen Johnson for the remainder of the campaign due to a torn labrum.

Atlanta sits ninth in the East and will look to snap its skid Saturday against the Indiana Pacers.