Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Trae Young is the exact type of player you would expect to shine in NBA Summer League, where defensive efforts tends to be minimal and scoring ability traditionally shines. Young, however, struggled in his debut on Monday, shooting 4 for 20 from the field (1 for 11 from three-point range) and adding two turnovers. Young started with two airballs and took a number of questionable shots.
Trae Young’s first two three-point attempts as an Atlanta Hawk 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/P5W8ZIW8oI
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) July 2, 2018
He went on to miss his first 10 attempts before finally knocking down a jumper in the third quarter.
Trae Young's FIRST BUCKET for the Hawks 🔥 @TheTraeYoung (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/8K54Gkap0g
— Overtime (@overtime) July 3, 2018
Young did end up totaling 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists (his passing was on point) in his 29 minutes of action, but needless to say, it wasn't the debut Young was hoping for. The overreactions, as you'd expect, came quickly.
Imagine trading a generational prospect in Doncic for Trae Young https://t.co/Y9kLNMEKOp
— Peter Jennings (@CSURAM88) July 2, 2018
Trae Young’s first summer league game: 3-of-17 FGs, 1-of-11 3PT
— The Ringer (@ringer) July 3, 2018
Trae Young: Any advice?
J.R. Smith: pic.twitter.com/VQYMvM4IuI
You gotta bench Trae Young after this shot....this is unacceptable pic.twitter.com/nfnDiWkl1H
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 3, 2018
Trae Young is 0-for-7 from the floor, 0-for-3 from deep in his Summer League debut.
— Dennis Chambers (@DennisChambers_) July 2, 2018
Reminder: he was traded for Luka Doncic.
Imagine drafting Trae Young when you could've drafted Svi Mykhailiuk
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) July 3, 2018
The Hawks flipped Luka Doncic, whom many believe is a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, for Young and a protected future first-round pick on draft night.