The Atlanta Hawks made one of the boldest moves of the 2025 offseason, aggressively reshaping their roster by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. On paper, it seemed like the franchise was signaling its intent to chase a title now, especially with the supremacy in the Eastern Conference being open to attain more than ever.
Yet, when faced with the chance to offer Trae Young a $229 million extension, the Hawks’ front office decided not to take that route. That decision has left seven-time NBA champ Robert Horry baffled, as he feels Trae continues to be undervalued and disrespected.
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To Horry, the only way the Hawks can help Young reach his ceiling and prove his worth as one of the best players in today’s NBA is if he is treated the same way Allen Iverson was treated by the Philadelphia 76ers to maximize his potential — blindly handing him the keys of the team.
Horry on how Young is seen in the NBA
Since entering the NBA, Young has been nothing short of spectacular, bringing the Hawks back to existence. Despite never having a true co-star who could help elevate his potential and complement his playing style, Ice Trae has led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals — only the second appearance in five decades.
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In addition, he has averaged a career scoring average of 25.3 points per game, which is higher than the likes of Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, and Nikola Jokic have logged since the beginning of the 2018-19 season. For Horry, these numbers make the constant disrespect for Young even harder to comprehend. Despite Trae willingly embracing different roles to help the team succeed, he is never given his due.
“You know what? That is the weirdest situation ever. You look at what Trae does on the court, and he’s still hated. There are so many people that aren’t fans of his, and I don’t know why,” Horry said. “But it’s hard to trade a player like Trae. Teams are afraid of him. You look at him: he’s a liability on the defense. He’s so little, and he’s a niche player.”
Horry on how Young can be successful in today’s NBA
More importantly, Big Shot Rob emphasized that the only real blueprint for the Hawks’ success is to fully embrace Young’s identity as the franchise cornerstone, just as the 76ers did with Iverson. Put simply, Atlanta needs to surround Trae with players who specifically cover the gaps in his game. That, in turn, would unlock the team’s full potential and put them in a position to contend consistently.
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“Trae Young is a type of player… let’s just say, to me, he’s like the Allen Iverson of this era. You look at what Allen Iverson did for the 76ers. Everyone he had on the team; they were designated for that one specific theme that fit Allen Iverson, and that’s what Trae needs,” Horry continued. “He’s just a unique player, and he needs unique players around him.”
Whether or not the Hawks follow the Iverson model, the clock is ticking. With Young entering his prime years, the front office can’t afford to sit back and waste his championship window. They have made quality additions now, but they need to keep Trae motivated, especially when the 2025-26 season sees no favorites in the East, at least yet.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.