Atlanta’s Trae Young missed Friday’s game against the Nuggets, and it was potentially a much bigger deal than people may have initially realized.
One of the goals during training camp for the Hawks was to improve the communication and the connection between Young and head coach Nate McMillan. During the offseason, Young insisted that he had a “great” (and not rocky) relationship with McMillan.
If you’ll recall, Young reportedly had a “strained relationship” with former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce and wanted him fired. A few months after Pierce was fired, Young appeared to take a shot at his former coach following Team USA’s loss to Australia.
McMillan replaced Pierce less than one year ago and perhaps his main duty as head coach was to properly solve the question of how to use Young.
Based on a recent report from The Athletic, however, it seems that trouble may be brewing once again between Young and his head coach. Here is what we know thus far:
What were we told about why Young didn't play?
According to @HawksFanTV, during Friday’s shootaround, there was a “heated argument” between McMillan and a player on the roster.
Young was later listed as questionable with right shoulder soreness, and he was then not in the building when the Hawks played the Nuggets on Friday evening.
McMillan originally described Young’s absence as a “miscommunication” and refused to provide any more details.
So what was the real reason Young didn't play?
Shams Charania and Sam Amick described the situation as “simmering issues” that led to an “exchange” during practice on Friday (via The Athletic):
“A 13-10 start to the Atlanta Hawks’ season has not come without drama, as league sources say the team is managing simmering issues between its head coach and star player. Those issues culminated in a telltale moment inside the Hawks’ practice facility on Friday.
Hawks All-NBA guard Trae Young and coach Nate McMillan had an exchange at Friday’s shootaround that led to Young choosing not to attend the team’s home win over Denver at State Farm Arena, sources with knowledge of the situation tell The Athletic.”
Yikes.
What were the details about the heated exchange?
According to The Athletic, the star guard was treating his right shoulder when McMillan asked him to join the team shootaround.
Young, however, reportedly said that he wanted to solely focus on his treatment. He added that he would decide later if he would be ready to actually play later that evening. McMillan has a policy that he wants the players who are playing to be present at shootaround.
Trae: Let me focus on my treatment
Nate: Come off the bench or don’t bother showing up pic.twitter.com/Ca6HvDv48z
— Pat Benson (@Pat_Benson_Jr) December 4, 2022
Charania and Amick provided additional noteworthy details:
“While Young was receiving treatment on his right shoulder, sources say McMillan asked him whether he would participate in shootaround, receive treatment during walk-through and play in the game against the Nuggets. But Young made it clear that he wanted to focus solely on his treatment while missing shootaround and deciding later in the day whether he would play.
That approach, however, was not McMillan approved. Since the face of the Hawks’ franchise was deciding not to take part in shootaround, McMillan ultimately presented him with two options for that night’s game, sources said: Play off the bench — or do not show up to the arena. Young responded by saying he would not be playing against the Nuggets, and the team ruled him out while citing right shoulder soreness.
Based on the report, Young wanted to play but also wanted to hold some sense of agency over his injury management. McMillan was unwilling to give that to the multi-time All-Star.
The Hawks defeated the Nuggets, 117-109. AJ Griffin, who replaced Young in the starting lineup, appeared with the starters for just the second time in his professional career. He scored 24 points (11-16 FG) and added 3 steals.
"𝗪𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆."@DejounteMurray | @laurenjbara pic.twitter.com/rN9Oc0Ay7C
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) December 3, 2022
After the game, Atlanta guard Dejounte Murray gave an on-court interview.
“Obviously, we need everybody who wasn’t playing to do what we want to do to go to that next level. And you know, next man up. A lot of hungry guys [have] been in the gym working, G League, just preparing for this moment … It’s going to be hard for you if you’re representing whatever team or organization you play for if you don’t trust your teammates. I see guys working. I see guys in the gym, taking care of their body and everything. So you gain my trust with that. You don’t gain my trust with making and missing shots in the gym.”
It’s unclear if Murray was talking about Young, but it was at least interesting to hear him talk about the guys who weren’t playing.
What's next for Young?
The Athletic reported that “key personnel around the team” believe Young needs to become “more productive and positive” in his role as the face of the franchise.
“For the Hawks, this issue is a microcosm of tension that exists among Young, McMillan and the locker room. The Hawks have held multiple team meetings early this season to resolve various conflicts, sources with knowledge of the situation said.
For Young, whose strained relationship with former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce played a large role in his firing in March 2021, it’s the latest sensitive situation that has caused many people within the Hawks to question Young’s leadership approach.
Ever since the Hawks took Young fifth overall out of Oklahoma in the 2018 draft, their program has been built with the hopes of maximizing his unique and dynamic talent.”
So how did Young respond to reports that his team is beginning to question his leadership approach?
Waking up to public statements about my private life🥱😂
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) December 5, 2022
He tweeted that he woke up to “public statements” about his “private life” — which is a lyric from “Do Not Disturb” by Drake.
The All-Star guard reportedly returned to practice on Saturday and he is expected to return to the court on Monday.
What's next for McMillan?
After what happened between Young and Pierce last season, one has to wonder about McMillan’s job security in Atlanta.
According to The Athletic, however, his job is currently safe:
“Executives across the league who have heard about the Hawks’ behind-the-scenes issues wonder what this means for the future of McMillan. After leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference finals appearance as interim head coach in 2021, McMillan signed a four-year contract to become the franchise’s full-time head coach.
With the team currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, sources with knowledge of the situation said McMillan’s job is safe. As all involved are well aware, Young and McMillan will need to reinvigorate their relationship moving forward if the Hawks are going to become a true contender again.”
There are severe limitations to what Young can provide on the floor’s defensive end.
But his offensive productivity makes Atlanta a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. McMillan’s job is not in danger if the Hawks can find a way to make a run in the playoffs.
