The Atlanta Hawks have had an underwhelming season by most standards — but they’ve still punched a ticket to the Play-In Tournament. That raises a familiar question: should other teams fear them once the postseason lights come on? Are the Hawks a legitimate sleeper pick to make a run? There’s no better person to weigh in than their star point guard, Trae Young.
In a recent appearance on The Haynes Briefs Podcast with NBA insider Chris Haynes, Young offered an honest assessment of where the Hawks stand in the Eastern Conference.
“I understand the space that we’re in right now,” Young said, via Joshua Buckhalter of Soaring Down South. “There’s probably two — or maybe three — teams in the East that people really see as contenders. And for us, I don’t think we’re there yet, and I feel like that’s okay. I feel like here in a couple years we could be, or next year we could be.”
Still, Young believes this group has the potential to turn heads over the next few weeks. “That doesn’t mean we can’t go in and surprise people and make some noise,” he added. “But it’s about having the right mindset during this whole process and making sure we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture: getting better every day.”
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Davion Mitchell #45 of the Miami Heat
Underdog mindset can be dangerous
This isn’t just wishful thinking. Recent history shows that low expectations can be a weapon. In 2023, the Miami Heat clawed their way into the playoffs through the Play-In and made a Cinderella run to the NBA Finals. The 2021 Hawks, led by a younger Young, shocked the league by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals as a fifth seed.
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Teams that enter the postseason without the weight of expectation often play freer, looser, and with more belief — and that mentality can be lethal when the game slows down in the playoffs.
Offensive firepower still runs through young
At the heart of Atlanta’s chances is Trae Young himself — a proven offensive engine. His ability to shoot from deep, orchestrate pick-and-rolls, and create off the dribble makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Whether it’s a late-clock isolation or a momentum-shifting three, Young has the ability to take over.
Say what you will about him, but Young has consistently shown he can deliver in tough environments, particularly in the NBA postseason.
The youth movement might be the x-factor
What could truly elevate the Hawks is the rise of their young core. Rookie wing Zaccharie Risacher has emerged as a versatile two-way contributor, providing shooting range and defensive presence that belies his age. His ability to guard multiple positions gives the Hawks a much-needed edge in matchup flexibility.
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Meanwhile, Dyson Daniels — acquired midseason — has injected life into the rotation with his defense, hustle, and pace. His ability to guard up and switch across positions adds a layer of toughness this team lacked early in the season.
