The Balancing Act Atlanta Faces With Trae Young’s Return Looming

  • By Tim Ogles

    Last Updated on December 14, 2025 8:20 pm by Tim Ogles | Published: December 14, 2025

    Trae Young is expected to return to practice next week- a development that signals a turning point in the Atlanta Hawks’ season and reopens a complex basketball equation. The Hawks have weathered his absence, posting a 12-9 record without him and navigating injuries and rotation shifts. The contrast is stark when compared to the 2-3 mark in games Young appeared in earlier this season. Those numbers alone do not define impact, but they frame the challenge awaiting the coaching staff, as the franchise centerpiece moves closer to rejoining the lineup.

    Young’s return immediately raises the offensive ceiling. Few guards in the league bend defenses the way he does, both with the ball in his hands and through the attention he commands beyond the arc. His presence alone alters spacing, unlocks pick-and-roll options, and increases role players’ efficiency because they thrive off his catch-and-shoot creation. Atlanta missed that gravitational pull, even while finding ways to win through defense, balance, and a more egalitarian offensive structure.

    That structure has been closely tied to the rise of Jalen Johnson. He took on a dramatically expanded role when Young went down. More possessions flow through him as a scorer, facilitator, and decision-maker. The results are undeniable, as better production followed increased responsibility. Johnson attacks mismatches, pushes the ball in transition, and initiates offense from the elbows and the top of the floor. His confidence is growing, averaging 23.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists through 26 contests.

    The dilemma facing Atlanta is not whether Young should reclaim his role. That is inevitable. The question centers around re-integrating a high-usage star without diminishing the progress that fueled recent success. Young traditionally commands one of the highest usage rates among NBA guards, often hovering near 30%. Johnson’s surge saw his usage spike to 26.4%, creating overlap that must be managed.

    Young’s return directly addresses Atlanta’s late-game instability, an area that undermines otherwise strong performances this season. Without a consistent on-ball closer, the Hawks too often rely on improvised creation on final possessions. This vulnerability was exposed most clearly against the Philadelphia 76ers, when an eight-point lead vanished in the final 49 seconds of regulation. Defensive breakdowns played a role, but the absence of a steady offensive organizer magnified every mistake. 

    Young’s presence changes that dynamic. His usage rate in clutch situations at 39% for the 2024-25 season ranks among the league’s highest, reflecting both trust and necessity. He controls tempo, forces defensive switches, and draws fouls at an elite rate when games tighten. Those traits shorten possessions, limit turnovers, and reduce the volatility that plagues Atlanta in closing moments. Restoring the late-game structure may prove just as valuable as any scoring surge when evaluating the true impact of Young’s return.

    Young returning to practice represents a recalibration rather than a return to old habits. Atlanta is not being asked to undo the progress made during his absence, but to integrate it into a more complete structure. The challenge lies in blending Young’s high-usage creation with a forward in Johnson who demonstrates the ability to sustain near-primary offensive responsibility. If that balance is achieved, the Hawks do more than regain a star. They solidify an adaptable identity of sustaining success at a higher level.

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    December 14, 2025, 8:20 pm