A 13-10 start to the Atlanta Hawks’ season wasn’t without drama, as league sources say the team is dealing with simmering issues between its head coach and its star player. Those problems culminated in a telltale moment at the Hawks’ practice facility on Friday.
Hawks All-NBA guard Trae Young and coach Nate McMillan had an exchange in Friday’s shootaround that resulted in Young deciding not to participate in the team’s home win over Denver at State Farm Arena, sources with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic.
While Young was receiving treatment on his right shoulder, sources say McMillan asked him if he would participate in the shootaround, receive treatment during the walk-through and participate in the game against the Nuggets. But Young made it clear he wanted to focus solely on his treatment while missing shootaround and later in the day deciding whether to play.
However, this approach was not approved by McMillan. Ultimately, with the face of the Hawks franchise choosing not to participate in the shootaround, McMillan presented him with two options for that night’s game, sources said: Play off the bench — or don’t show up in the arena. Young responded that he would not play against the Nuggets and the team ruled him out while citing pain in his right shoulder.
McMillan told reporters Sunday that Young did not play Friday night because of a “misunderstanding.” Young trained fully on Sunday and will return against Oklahoma City on Monday.
Following the situation, the team has not taken any disciplinary action against Young, sources said.
For the Hawks, this issue is a microcosm of the tension that exists between Young, McMillan and the dressing room. The Hawks held several team meetings earlier 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 big part in his March 2021 sacking, it’s the recent thorny situation that has caused many within the Hawks to question Young’s approach to leadership.
Ever since the Hawks drafted Young fifth overall from Oklahoma in the 2018 draft, their program has been built in hopes of maximizing his unique and dynamic talent. Atlanta looked set to become an Eastern Conference staple in the 2020-21 season as they set a winning record for the first time in Young’s career (41-31) and lost to Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals. The following summer, Young signed a five-year, $207 million extension that began that season.
But the Hawks’ first-round exit to Miami last season highlighted the need to improve the roster and eventually led to Dejounte Murray’s trade with San Antonio in the summer. Another significant move could come as the Hawks have been in active trade talks with forward John Collins, who is currently sidelined with a left ankle sprain.
Executives across the league who have heard about the Hawks’ behind-the-scenes troubles are wondering what this means for McMillan’s future. After leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 as interim head coach, McMillan signed a four-year deal to become the franchise’s full-time head coach.
With the team currently tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, sources with knowledge of the situation said McMillan’s job is safe. As everyone involved knows, Young and McMillan will need to reignite their relationship if the Hawks are to become a true contender again. And key members of the team believe Young simply needs to find a way to become a more productive and positive face of the franchise.
(Photo: Tommy Gilligan / USA Today)