Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Denver Nuggets sign rookie Bones Hyland

The Denver Nuggets a few days ago signed rookie guard Bones Hyland to a multi-year contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced. Hyland was selected by Denver with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Hyland, 6-3, 173, played two seasons and appeared in 55 games (33 starts) for Virginia Commonwealth University, averaging 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.29 steals in 25.5 minutes. This most recent season he was named the 2020-21 A-10 Player of the Year, leading the conference in scoring (19.5 ppg) and three-pointers made per game (2.9), becoming the first sophomore in VCU history to make himself eligible for the NBA draft. Hyland set a freshman record at VCU with 63 made threes and was a 2019-20 A-10 All-Freshman team selection.

Atlanta Hawks sign rookies Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper

The Atlanta Hawks a few days ago signed rookie draft picks Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper. Cooper’s contract is a two-way contract.

Johnson, the Hawks’ first round pick (20th overall) in the 2021 NBA Draft, appeared in 13 games last season (eight starts) during his freshman season at Duke, averaging 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 21.4 minutes (.523 FG%, .444 3FG%, .632 FT%).

In his collegiate debut on Nov. 28 vs. Coppin State, the 6’9 Johnson tallied 19 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in 35 minutes (8-8 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 2-2 FTs). On Jan. 19 at Pitt, he put in 24 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks and two steals in 33 minutes (8-15 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 7-10 FTs). In a Jan. 26 contest against Georgia Tech, Johnson scored 18 points on 7-11 FGs and 4-6 FTs in 24 minutes, adding six rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks.

Johnson began his high school career at Sun Prairie High School (WI), where he put in 18.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.5 blocks, leading the Cardinals to a 25-2 mark and an appearance in the state semifinals. He spent his final two seasons at Nicolet High School (WI), averaging 24.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a senior. He is a native of Milwaukee, WI.

The 6’1 Cooper, selected by the Hawks in the second round (48th overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft, appeared in 12 games as a freshman last season at Auburn and averaged 20.2 points, 8.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 33.1 minutes. He scored in double figures in all 12 contests, including a career-best 28 points twice (Jan. 13 at Georgia and Jan. 26 vs. Missouri). He is one of two NCAA Division I freshman in the last 30 years (joining Trae Young) to average 20 points and 8 assists per game.

Cooper played his high school ball at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, where he led the team to the first state title in school history as a junior in 2018-19 and has his jersey retired. He is a former Mr. Georgia Basketball and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. He was born in Newark, NJ before moving to the Atlanta area. His sister, Te’a, plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

Only players with three-or-fewer years of NBA experience are permitted to sign two-way contracts. Per league rules, teams are allowed to have up to two two-way players on their roster at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular season roster. A two-way player for the Hawks will spend time with the team’s NBA G League Affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, but can be on the Atlanta Hawks’ active list for up to 50 games during the 2021-22 regular season.

Wizards vs. Pacers August 8 summer league game postponed

The MGM Resorts NBA Summer League game scheduled for today at 8 p.m. ET between the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.

Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Wizards, the team does not have enough available players to proceed with tonight’s game against the Pacers.

Miami Heat sign P.J. Tucker

The Miami Heat yesterday signed forward P.J. Tucker.

“P.J. Tucker is the perfect addition to this team,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He brings both shooting and most importantly, the ability to defend a lot of perimeter players. We love his versatility in order to put a defensive team on the court, where all five guys can defend, while also having enough shooting and scoring to win games.”

Tucker, who helped the Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship, split last season between Houston and Milwaukee appearing in 52 games (33 starts) and averaged 3.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.17 steals and 26.1 minutes. In 23 postseason games (19 starts) while helping lead Milwaukee to their first NBA Championship in 50 years, he averaged 4.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 29.6 minutes. Tucker ranked among postseason hustle leaders in charges drawn (third), loose balls recovered (fourth), contested two-pointers (eighth), contested shots (ninth), box outs (tied-12th), contested three-pointers (15th) and deflections (tied-16th).

The 10-year NBA veteran has appeared in 706 career games (511 starts) for Toronto, Phoenix, Houston and Milwaukee and averaged 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.17 steals and 29.1 minutes while shooting 41.9 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from three-point range and 74.8 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double figures on 204 occasions, including 14 games with at least 20 points. He has also posted double-figure boards 82 times and registered 40 double-doubles while receiving multiple votes for the NBA All-Defensive Team in six of his 10 seasons. Additionally, he has appeared in 73 career postseason games (60 starts) and averaged 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 28.9 minutes while scoring in double figures 22 times and recording 14 games with at least 10 rebounds, including nine double-doubles.

Brooklyn Nets sign rookie guard Cam Thomas

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Cam Thomas, the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, to a multi-year contract.

Thomas (6’4”, 210) spent one year at LSU, where he appeared in and started 29 games, recording averages of 23.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 34.0 minutes per game. Thomas scored 25 or more points 16 times in his lone collegiate season, representing the most 25-point games for a freshman in the SEC over the last 25 seasons, and was the leading scorer among all NCAA Division I freshmen. He led the nation in free throws made (194), led the SEC in free-throw percentage (88.2 percent) and finished first in the SEC and seventh in the nation in field goals made (203). Thomas also appeared in both of LSU’s NCAA Tournament games, averaging 28.5 points per contest. The 19-year-old native of Chesapeake, Va., earned All-SEC First Team honors, All-SEC Freshman team honors and was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

Five-team NBA trade sends Russell Westbrook to Lakers, Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma to Wizards

The Washington Wizards announced yesterday that they have acquired guard Spencer Dinwiddie from the Brooklyn Nets; guard Aaron Holiday, the rights to forward Isaiah Todd and cash considerations from the Indiana Pacers; and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell from the Los Angeles Lakers in a five-team trade.

Washington sent guard Russell Westbrook and second-round picks in 2023, 2024 and 2028 to the Los Angeles Lakers; forward Chandler Hutchison and a 2022 second round pick to the San Antonio Spurs; and a 2024 second-round pick along with the right to swap second-round picks in 2025 to the Brooklyn Nets. As part of the trade, Indiana acquired the rights to Isaiah Jackson, who was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Brooklyn also received the rights to 2015 first-round pick Nikola Milutinov from the Spurs as part of the deal.

“It takes a special mentality of competitiveness to take on the role of point guard for The Los Angeles Lakers,” said Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. “We have seen some of the all-time greats master that role here, and now Russell Westbrook gets to come home and do just that. This is a very proud day for our franchise, and we are incredibly grateful. We welcome Russell and his family to Lakers Nation.”

“We were clear as we moved into the offseason that we would be aggressive in making moves that would improve our defense, shooting and athleticism,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “Starting with hiring Coach Unseld, then moving to the draft and the acquisition of these five players via trade, we feel confident that we have made significant progress in those areas.”

“Each player that we acquired in this trade addresses a need for us in addition to bringing experience, toughness and a winning attitude that makes them ideal fits around Bradley and the rest of our returning roster,” said Sheppard. “Spencer’s athleticism allows him to score and make plays for others with Aaron’s hard-nosed style off the bench making a complementary pair of point guards. Kyle and KCP are proven three-and-D players with significant championship experience while Montrezl’s energy and effort personify the way we want to play every night.”

Dinwiddie (6-5, 215), who comes to Washington in a sign-and-trade deal, has appeared in 320 career games (133 starts) with the Pistons and Nets, and holds career averages of 12.9 points, 5.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. In five seasons with Brooklyn, Dinwiddie averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 274 games (132 starts) and posted career-highs in points (20.6 ppg) and assists (6.8 apg) during the 2019-20 season. The Colorado product appeared in only three games during the 2020-2021 season, after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn ACL he suffered on December 27, 2020 (he has been cleared for all basketball activities since June).

Originally selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, Caldwell-Pope (6-5, 204) holds career averages of 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists and 29.1 minutes per game in 606 career games (464 starts) with Detroit and Los Angeles. The 6-5, 204-pound guard, has shot .370 percent or better from three-point range in three of the past four seasons and shot a career-best .410 from three-point territory last season.

Last season, the eight-year NBA veteran averaged 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 67 games (all starts) for the Lakers. Caldwell-Pope was an integral part of the Lakers 2020 NBA Championship team, where he averaged 12.8 points per game in the Finals against the Miami Heat.

A fourth-year forward, Kuzma (6-10, 221) holds career averages of 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 276 (146 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Flint, MI, native, has averaged at least 12.0 points and four rebounds per game in every year of his career, joining Jayson Tatum and Lauri Markkanen as the only players from the 2017 NBA Draft class to post these averages in all four seasons.

During the 2020-21 season, Kuzma averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and a career-high 1.9 assists in 68 games (32 starts), while shooting .361 percent from three-point range on 5.6 attempts per game. Last season, the Utah product reached double-figures on 45 occasions, scored 20+ points 13 times and totaled 13 double-doubles. Selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Lakers, Kuzma was selected to the All-Rookie First-Team.

Harrell, 6-7, 240, has appeared in 387 career games (26 starts) across six seasons with the Houston Rockets (2015-2017), Los Angeles Clippers (2017-2020) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020-2021), averaging 12.8 points on .616 percent shooting, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 21.2 minutes per game. In 69 games (one start) with the Lakers last season, he averaged 13.5 points on .622 shooting, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

The former Sixth Man of the Year (2019-20) has averaged 10 or more points per game the past four consecutive years while making five or fewer starts in those seasons, joining Jordan Clarkson as the only players to do so since the 2017-18 season.

Holiday, 24, has averaged 7.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds, while shooting .372 percent from three-point range in 182 career games (41 starts) over three seasons with the Indiana Pacers. The 6-0, 185-pound guard averaged 7.2 points and 1.9 assists in 66 games (eight starts) during the 2020-2021 season.

Drafted with the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Holiday posted career-bests in points (9.5 ppg), assists (3.4 apg) and rebounds (2.4 rpg) during the 2019-20 season.

Washington also acquired Isaiah Todd on draft night, who was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 31st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Todd, a 6-10, 210-pound forward, played for G League Ignite in its inaugural season in 2020-21, averaging 12.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 16 games (three starts).

In one season with Washington, Westbrook averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and a league-leading 11.7 assists per game in 65 games (all starts), the fourth career season he has averaged a triple-double. The 13-year guard became the NBA’s all-time triple-double leader on May 10, 2021, after passing Oscar Robertson’s 181 triple-double record. He concluded the regular season with 36 straight double-doubles and a league-best 38 triple-doubles.

Hutchison, who was acquired by Washington in a three-team trade on March 25, 2021, averaged 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18 games (one start) with the Wizards last season.

“Russell was a tremendous leader for us and watching him make history while with the Wizards was a privilege for me, our players and our fans that none of us will ever forget,” said Sheppard. “The impact he made on our franchise and our players in just one season is remarkable and we wish him the best as he continues his Hall of Fame career. We also appreciate Chandler for the work he put in during his time with us and extend him our encouragement as he progresses in his development.”

Utah Jazz sign Rudy Gay and Hassan Whiteside

The Utah Jazz announced yesterday that the team has signed forward Rudy Gay and center Hassan Whiteside.

Gay (6-8, 240, Connecticut) saw action in 63 games (one start) in 2020-21 with the San Antonio Spurs, owning averages of 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.6 minutes per contest.

“Rudy brings a valuable veteran presence to the Jazz which will only enhance our group as it continues to evolve,” said Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik. “He’s proven to be one of the most consistent players in the NBA over his 15-year career and we’re thrilled for him to join our club.”

Entering his 16th NBA season, he owns career averages of 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals with Memphis (2006-12), Sacramento (2013-17) and San Antonio (2018-21) in 1,009 games (778 starts) and became one of 26 players in NBA history to total over 16,000 career points, 5,000 rebounds and 1,000 steals through 1,000 NBA games played. With 16,903 career points, the Baltimore, Md. Native currently ranks 99th overall in NBA history.

Originally drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, Gay earned 2006-07 All-NBA Rookie First Team honors following his first professional season. He has also represented the USA Men’s National Team at the 2010 FIBA World Cup and 2014 FIBA World Cup, helping both squads to gold medals.

Whiteside (7-0, 265, Marshall) played in 36 games (four starts) with the Sacramento Kings during the 2020-21 season, averaging 8.1 points on 56.3 percent from the field, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15.2 minutes per contest.

“Hassan is one of the more physically gifted players in the game today and has a vast amount of valuable professional basketball experience,” said Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik. “We’re excited to add someone with his skillset and feel he’s a great fit with our current roster.”

The Gastonia, N.C. native has played in nine NBA seasons with career averages of 13.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 446 games (324 starts) with Sacramento (2010-12 and 2020-21), Miami (2014-19) and Portland (2019-20). He was named to the 2015-16 All-NBA Defensive Second Team and has twice led the NBA in blocks (2015-16 and 2019-20), also leading the NBA in rebounds in 2016-17. Of the last 10 point-rebound-block triple-doubles in the league, Whiteside owns four of those performances.

Originally drafted by Sacramento with the 33rd overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, he has additional professional experience, playing in the G League with the Reno Bighorns (2010-12), Sioux Falls SkyForce (2012-13 and 2014-15), Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2012-13) and Iowa Wolves (2014-15). He played for Amchit Club of the Lebanese Division A in 2012-13 and Al Moutahed Tripoli in 2013-14, where he averaged 20.6 points on 54.3 percent shooting, 14.8 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per contest.

Toronto Raptors sign-and-trade Kyle Lowry to Miami Heat

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have acquired guard Goran Dragic and forward Precious Achiuwa from the Miami Heat as part of a sign-and-trade for six-time All-Star guard Kyle Lowry.

“Kyle Lowry is a great leader and an exceptional defender,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “As a point guard, he will bring important skills to run the offense, score the ball and defend with the very best.”

Lowry is Toronto’s all-time leader in assists (4,277), steals (873), three-pointers made (1,518) and triple-doubles (16). He is one of two players (along with DeMar DeRozan) to represent the Raptors in nine different seasons, accumulating 365 regular season wins and 44 playoff victories to make him the winningest player in franchise history. Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 34.6 minutes, while shooting .425 from the field (3,376-7,944) and .377 from three-point range (1,518-4,031) in 601 regular season contests.

Lowry was acquired July 11, 2012 from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Gary Forbes and a first-round draft pick. During his second season (2013-14) Lowry played a key role in leading the Raptors to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. This sparked a streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances (2014-20), six Atlantic Division titles, five 50-win seasons, two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and the Raptors’ first NBA championship title in 2019. In the series-clinching victory June 13, 2019 at Golden State, Lowry scored Toronto’s first 11 points of the game and finished with a team-high 26 points.

Lowry had a personal streak of six consecutive NBA All-Star selections (2015-20) during this period, including being voted in as a starter twice (2015 and 2016). He earned third team All-NBA honours during the 2015-16 campaign after averaging 21.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and leading Toronto to a then franchise-record 56 wins.

Dragic, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds is a 13-year NBA veteran who holds career averages of 13.9 points, 4.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 67 regular-season games with Phoenix, Houston and Miami. He averaged a career-best 20.3 points and 5.9 assists during the 2013-14 season with Phoenix and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Dragic also earned third-team All-NBA honors for the 2013-14 campaign. In 2016-17 with Miami he averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists and was named to the 2018 Eastern Conference All-Star Team.

Achiuwa, 6-foot-9, 235 pounds, was picked 20th overall by Miami in the 2020 NBA Draft. He averaged 5.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 12.1 minutes in 61 games (four starts) during his rookie season. Achiuwa scored a season-high 23 points in the regular-season finale May 16 at Detroit and recorded three double-doubles.

A native of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Achiuwa played one season at the University of Memphis, where he averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds (led AAC) and 30.4 minutes in 31 contests. For his efforts, he was named American Athletic Conference Player and Freshman (AAC) of the Year.

Cleveland Cavaliers sign Jarrett Allen to big contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed center Jarrett Allen to a multi-year contract, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced yesterday from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We spent the last few years maintaining our financial and roster flexibility to put ourselves in a position to acquire and now re-sign a player of Jarrett’s caliber,” said Altman. “Since his arrival, Jarrett has fit seamlessly into our culture and almost instantly, he earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. We took another positive step forward in our pursuit of sustainable success with this signing, as we see Jarrett as an integral piece of our future moving forward.”

According to Cleveland.com, “Allen received a five-year, $100 million contract. It’s a standard pact — all five years are fully guaranteed and Allen will make around $20 million annually, sources say.”

Allen (6-11, 248), who was acquired from Brooklyn as part of a three-team trade on January 14, 2021, played in 63 games (45 starts) for the Nets and Cavaliers this past season and averaged career highs in points (12.8), rebounds (10.0), assists (1.7) and minutes (29.6). Allen also ranked fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage (.618), ninth in blocks (1.43), 13th in rebounds (10.0) and tied for 19th in double-doubles (25). Additionally, he was one of only three players in the NBA with at least 10.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 block and a .600 field goal percentage (Rudy Gobert, Deandre Ayton). In his 51 outings (40 starts) for Cleveland, Allen averaged 13.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.39 blocks in 30.3 minutes.

“It can’t be overstated enough that the coaching staff and front office wanted me to be in Cleveland long-term,” said Allen. “I will forever be grateful for this opportunity and it’s an honor to continue representing the Cavs and becoming more entrenched into this community. I’m also excited about improving with my teammates. We have some really talented, young and hungry players in this locker room and I can’t wait to get back on the court with them to see how far we can take this thing.”

The 6-11 center had several historical performances this past season. In a win over Minnesota on Feb. 1, Allen became the first player in Cavaliers history to record 23 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks in a single game. After a career-high 26 points, 17 rebounds and 11-11 field goal performance against Oklahoma City on Feb. 21, he became the first player in franchise history and just the eighth NBA player ever to tally at least 25 points and 15 rebounds without missing a single field goal (Mitch Kupchak 11/20/81, Dwight Howard 2/24/10, Wes Unseld 1/31/75, Dikembe Mutombo 12/14/99, Wilt Chamberlain 7 times, Calvin Natt 3/18/82 and Walt Bellamy 1/23/64). In Cleveland’s win over Houston on Feb. 24 (26 PTS, 18 REB, 4 BLK, 10-11 FG), Allen became just the second NBA player in the Shot Clock Era to record 26 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks while shooting .900 from the field, joining Dikembe Mutombo on December 14, 1999 (27 PTS, 29 REB, 6 BLK, 11-11 FG).

Over four NBA seasons, Allen has appeared in 285 regular season contests (220 starts) with Brooklyn and Cleveland and owns career averages of 10.7 points on .611 shooting from the field, 8.3 rebounds and 1.37 blocks in 25.4 minutes. Selected by Brooklyn in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft, Allen has increased his average in points, rebounds and assists in each season since entering the league. The 23-year-old also appeared in two postseasons with the Nets in 2019 and 2020, averaging a double-double in nine contests (10.7 points, 10.3 rebounds).

Atlanta Hawks sign Trae Young to contract extension

The Atlanta Hawks yesterday announced the team has signed guard Trae Young to a contract extension, which begins with the 2022-23 season.

“This is a great day for the Hawks franchise and the city of Atlanta. Trae is a special player and person who from Day One, embraced being a leader on the court and in our community. We are excited to have him as the cornerstone of our program long-term as we work toward our goal of bringing a championship to Atlanta,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “according to people familiar with the situation, Young’s is a max deal for five years and as much as $207 million, if he makes an All-NBA team next season.”

“I’m grateful to the Hawks, the Ressler family, my teammates and the entire Atlanta community for embracing me from the very beginning,” Young said. “I’m honored and excited to keep building with this great organization.”

Most recently, Young helped lead the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in Atlanta franchise history, averaging 28.8 ppg and 9.5 apg during the team’s run, becoming the first player in NBA history to post at least 20 points and seven-or-more assists in each of his first 13 career playoff games. In Game 1 of the Hawks’ Eastern Conference Finals win (6/23 at MIL), Young finished with a postseason-career-high 48 points, adding 11 assists and seven rebounds in 41 minutes, becoming the first player in league history with at least 45 points and 10 assists in a Conference Finals game.

During the 2020-21 regular season, Young put in 25.3 points (14th in the NBA), 9.4 assists (2nd) and 3.9 rebounds in 33.7 minutes (.438 FG%, .343 3FG%, .886 FT%), leading the NBA in free throws made (484). He was the only qualifying player to average at least 25 ppg and 9 apg.

The Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season, Young became the fastest Hawk (167 career games) to score 4,000 points on 2/17 at Boston. On 1/29 at Washington, Young became the fastest player in league history (159 games) to reach 400 career three-pointers.

In the 2020-21 season opener on 12/23 at Chicago, Young poured in a game-high 37 points on 10-12 FGs, 5-6 3FGs and 12-14 FTs in 26 minutes, setting an NBA record for most points scored by a player who took 12-or-fewer field goal attempts.

Since the start of his rookie season, Young ranks second in the NBA in total assists (1807) and fourth in three-pointers made (1308). He has compiled 63 games of 20-or-more points and 10-or-more assists, second-most in the league (James Harden, 65). His 31 30-point/10-assist contests is also second-most during that span (Harden, 33). Young has 63 career games of 30-or-more points, the most in Hawks franchise history over their first three seasons (Bob Pettit, 58). He has gone for 40-or-more points 16 times in his career, tying LeBron James for the third-most by a player in his first three seasons since 1976-77 (Michael Jordan 44, Shaquille O’Neal 19).

An All-Star starter for the Eastern Conference in 2020, Young appeared in 60 games in 2019-20, averaging 29.6 points (4th in the NBA), 9.3 assists (2nd in the league), 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 35.3 minutes (.437 FG%, .361 3FG%, .860 FT%).

As a rookie in 2018-19, Young was a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after averaging 19.1 points, 8.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 30.9 minutes (.418 FG%, .324 3FG%, .829 FT%) in 81 contests (all starts). Among qualifying rookies, Young ranked 1st in apg, 2nd in ppg and FT%, 3rd in mpg, 6th in spg and 10th in rpg.