The Atlanta Hawks are embarking on a strategic shift, building a new system around their star point guard, Trae Young.
In reshaping the roster and redefining roles, head coach Quin Snyder is aiming to create a more versatile and unpredictable offense that maximizes the skills of multiple players, rather than centering solely on Young.
Snyder is encouraging Young to “get rid of the ball early and often,” which, Snyder believes, will lead to a less predictable offense and keep opposing defenses on their toes.
While the Hawks lack another ball handler on the level of Dejounte Murray, they now have several versatile players who can “make reads in open space,” allowing them to execute plays in a fluid, responsive style.
Snyder expressed confidence in this new phase of Young’s career, seeing it as an evolution of his game. “I think this is an exciting time for Trae in the arc of his career,” Snyder noted, acknowledging that players need to evolve to sustain success.
“Any time a team or a player has success at doing something well, you hit a point where you’re forced to adapt, and you need help with that adaptation process.”
This evolution means Young is expected to trust his teammates more and enable them to contribute actively rather than shouldering all the playmaking duties himself.
New teammate Larry Nance Jr. highlighted one of the most untapped aspects of Young’s game – his “gravity,” or the constant defensive attention he draws.
“Him being on the court means 1.5 guys need to know where he is at all times defensively,” Nance explained. “On the ball, that’s fantastic. But what I think we’re starting to explore some more is using his gravity for others to make plays. We’re excited to start using decoy Trae Young a little bit.”
This approach leverages Young’s presence not just as a scorer or distributor but as a strategic decoy, allowing his teammates to capitalize on the spacing he creates by simply being on the floor.
During Young’s early years with the Hawks, the team ran a more “heliocentric” offense, where Young controlled the ball in spread pick-and-roll actions, driving most offensive decisions.
Snyder isn’t suggesting the Hawks abandon these effective plays; rather, he wants to add new layers to their approach.
Snyder’s goal is to introduce a dynamic, multifaceted system that allows for greater movement among all players, breaking away from the previous strategy where teammates were often “glued to specific spots.”
Young himself has recognized the benefits of this shift. “When I am off the ball, guys are worried about me and they’re connected to me and on my body,” Young shared. “So it allows teammates to have a lot of space to go and create for themselves and others too.”
Young’s off-ball movement draws defenders away from his teammates, creating room for them to attack or find open shots – an advantage Snyder hopes will increase the team’s scoring efficiency and unpredictability.
Bogdan Bogdanović, another key player, appreciates the changes in the team’s dynamics and the added responsibility it brings. “We’re not always waiting for Trae to create for everyone, but to learn to create for each other,” Bogdanović said.
“So he’s going to continue to do what he does the best. But, we need to come together and increase that level of creation as a team.”
This shared playmaking approach distributes the offensive load, making the Hawks less dependent on Young’s individual performance and more resilient in facing defensive adjustments.
The results of this transformation are already visible. According to data from Synergy Sports, the Hawks now lead the league with 9.9 shots per game from cuts – a significant leap from their previous 13th ranking in the 2023-24 season.
This jump is a direct outcome of Snyder’s strategy, as players now have more freedom to move, cut, and create opportunities off the ball.
This playstyle has diversified their offensive attack, combining Young’s natural talent with the contributions of a deeper, more adaptable roster.
Under Snyder’s guidance, the Hawks are moving toward a balanced offensive identity where each player’s role complements and enhances the team’s overall effectiveness, setting the stage for a dynamic, resilient season.
Hawks Excited For Trae Young's 'Adaptation Process' Playing More Off-Ball https://t.co/0OPjq4D81p
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 11, 2024
