Trae Young will get to go up against the man he was dealt for in a Draft Day deal, but it will not be in a game of 5-on-5. Young has been invited to participate in the Skills Challenge on All-Star weekend against Luka Doncic, as well as De’Aaron Fox.
This could be a great opportunity for Trae. With Luka Doncic being the favorite for Rookie of the Year, many have been critical of the move that landed Atlanta the Mavs’ 1st rounder this year. However, Young has been impressive in his own right and is on the trajectory to become a star in the NBA. He is a great scorer but has the ability to become the best passer in the league, and he will get to showcase that skill set against a player who will be linked to him for the rest of his career.
Last year we saw Spencer Dinwiddie win the challenge, putting him on the map of all NBA fans. He then took a further step in his game. I think Young could get a bigger sense of recognition if he can pull it out. He has had ups and downs as a rookie, but like John Collins, has not gotten the attention he deserves due to the current state of the Hawks’ rebuild. While this is an exhibition event, it could be an opportunity for Trae to tell NBA fans not to rush to such quick judgment about the trade. These two will be going at each other All-Star weekend for years to come if they remain on their current pace.