Trae Young’s Top 10 NBA Moments
It really feels like a marriage is coming to an end in ATL. After seven seasons wearing the red, black, and white, Trae Young’s time with the Atlanta Hawks seems to finally be up. Young, the slick point guard who put Atlanta back on the basketball map, and his representation (Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison, and Austin Brown) are reportedly now working hand-in-hand with the Hawks to find a new home for the four-time All-Star as trade talks pick up around the league.
For years, the rumors have swirled about whether Trae and Atlanta were on the same page. This time, though? It feels different. The Hawks didn’t extend him last offseason, the team has struggled this year, and the organization appears ready to pivot toward a fresh identity. To understand what this moment means, you have to rewind back to the beginning of Trae’s rise. Born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma, he lit up the high school circuit at Norman High, where he was a McDonald’s All-American and one of the nation’s top prospects. He then took that scoring and passing brilliance to the University of Oklahoma, dominating college hoops before hearing his name called on draft night in 2018. Selected fifth overall by Dallas and immediately traded to Atlanta, Trae walked into the franchise not just as a rookie, but as the next face of the Hawks.
Once in Atlanta, Trae changed the culture. With the jaw-dropping range on his shot, alley-oop passes that seemed to bend physics, and a fearless vibe that sometimes made him the league’s lovable villain, he electrified fans and frustrated defenders nightly. He turned deep threes into currency and flashy dime passes into regular highlights. He carried the Hawks squad all the way to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, where they pushed the eventual NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks harder than almost anyone thought possible. Unfortunately, after that magical run, consistency became elusive. Injuries, roster turnover, and questions on defense and fit began to mount. This season especially hasn’t been kind: nagging injuries have kept him off the court more than on it, and as Trae struggled with availability and efficiency, another story took shape.
Enter Jalen Johnson – a young forward whose emergence has given the Hawks a new spark and potential identity beyond Young. Atlanta has seen winning basketball with Jalen as a leader and creator, and that has made the decision that much easier for the franchise. The narrative in cities across the league is now: Where will Trae land? From Washington to Los Angeles to other contenders, the trade scenarios have been plentiful and intriguing – a testament to how his star power still resonates even as the chapter closes.
Still, let’s be clear—Trae’s time in Atlanta was unforgettable. While the ending might feel messy, the body of work he’s put together demands respect. He transformed a franchise, electrified a fanbase, and gave us moments we’ll talk about for years. So first, let’s give Ice Trae his well-deserved flowers and then let’s dive into his Top 10 NBA Moments. Let us know which ones are your favorites, if we’re missing any, and where you think Trae will eventually end up calling his new home.
TRAE YOUNG’S TOP 10 NBA MOMENTS
1. Career-High 56 Points vs. Trail Blazers
Trae put on an absolute scoring clinic, pouring in 56, one of the most electrifying single nights in Hawks history.
2. Career-High 22 Assists vs. Cavs
Trae dropped a career-best 22 dimes, showing off his elite court vision.
3. Beef With The New York Knicks
Multiple cultural highlight moments. Drilling shots, telling the crowd to be quiet, bowing, and waving goodbye to the fans. Trae’s relationship with Madison Square Garden is legendary.
4. Breaks Hawks All-Time Regular Season 3PM Record
Trae pulled from deep so much he rewrote Hawks history, becoming the franchise’s all-time regular-season three-point king.
5. Game-Winner vs. Bucks
Trae drilled a cold-blooded game-winner over Milwaukee, announcing early that he wasn’t scared of the league’s best.
6. 2021 Playoff Run
Trae put Atlanta on his back and led a fearless Hawks squad all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, shocking the league and changing the franchise’s trajectory.
7. Half Court Buzzer-Beater (2020 All-Star Game)
Trae capped All-Star Weekend with a ridiculous half-court buzzer-beater, turning the biggest stage into his personal highlight reel.
8. 50 Piece vs. Miami Heat
Trae went nuclear against Miami, dropping 50 and putting on a scoring masterclass that showed just how unstoppable he could be when he got hot.
9. 2024 NBA 3-Point Contest
Although he finished as the runner-up to Damian Lillard, Trae put on one hell of a show. It took Dame making his last shot to overtake the Hawks’ sharpshooter.
10. Passing Mastery
A TRUE point guard. Since joining the league, Trae has dazzled fans with his creativity!
RELATED: Ben Simmons Halts NBA Comeback To Buy A Pro Fishing Team, Social Media Reacts
