Trae Young is taking on a new role with the Hawks, on and off the court

There’s something different in the air surrounding the Hawks, and there are plenty of reasons for that, most notably Trae Young.

Atlanta’s star point guard has taken on a completely new role, not just on the court but also off of it. Young is boasting a career-low usage rate, acting more as a traditional point guard, facilitating Atlanta’s offense.

While Young has taken a backseat, particularly in scoring, it’s enabled everyone else to have career years so far. Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter are producing at the highest levels of their respective careers, which isn’t a coincidence given their usage rates are all at a career-high.

Trae Young is averaging 21 points per game, the lowest since his rookie year, but also 12.2 assists per game, a mark that leads the league. He’s completely adjusted his game, tailoring it to what Quin Snyder needs, but he’s adopting another role as well — that of a leader.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Trae Young is taking steps to become the leader off the court as much as he is on the court.

“Late last summer after the Olympics, Hawks star point guard Trae Young flew Daniels and Risacher out to his offseason home in Oklahoma for a multiday training and bonding session, sources said,” Windhorst writes. “It was greatly appreciated by the young new teammates and formed the foundation for building a relationship with two cornerstones of the future in Atlanta.

Over the past two years it was an open secret the Hawks had some chemistry issues within the team, and it affected the working relationship between Young and Dejounte Murray, who was traded in the offseason to New Orleans for a package that included Daniels. Hawks officials have been working with Young — who can be a bit of an introvert, teammates have noticed over his career — on his leadership and relationship-building skills. It’s still a work in progress, but Young is becoming better at it, team sources said, and it’s been one of the many positives for the Hawks this season.”

Trae Young has never been the vocal leader that some other stars are around the league, but he’s clearly trying to step into that role now that he’s clearly the elder statesman in Atlanta. The Hawks need Young to be the voice for Risacher, Johnson, Daniels, and any other young pieces the Hawks bring into the organization. He’s clearly up for the challenge.

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trae young Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire

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