Trae frustrated by Hawks' shortened season: 'Obviously I wanted to play'
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young understands the NBA's decision to continue the 2019-20 season with just 22 teams starting in late July, though the plan was evidently still a hard pill to swallow with his team sitting on the outside.
"I was mad," Young said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews. "I was frustrated. Obviously I wanted to play.
"I understand what the NBA did and respect their decision. But I am kind of upset because I want to play."
It was a mixed season for the Oklahoma product. On a personal level, the 21-year-old improved his numbers to career highs in points (29.6), assists (9.3), rebounds (3.7), and steals (1.1) per game, and he appeared in his first All-Star Game in February.
On the other hand, the Hawks were outscored by 4.9 points per 100 possessions with Young on the floor, owing in part to the star guard's defensive shortcomings. Ultimately, at 20-47 (.299), the Hawks owned the fourth-worst record in the league when the season was suspended.
To that end, Young and several Hawks teammates plan to work out together once permitted by the team.
"We can't go five, six months without seeing each other," Young added. "We are trying to take this to new heights next year."