NBA Rookie Rankings: Deandre Ayton is closing in on Luka Doncic

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 27: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the game against the Chicago Bulls at State Farm Arena on October 27, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. Trae Young

It’s no surprise that Young is having some great games and some awful ones at this stage of his career. He’s got a weak supporting cast and the Hawks are counting on him to be their primary creator every night. That’s going to pay dividends for him in the long run, but it’s going to lead to some ugly nights as a rookie.

Unfortunately for Young, he hasn’t had a great week. His Hawks have lost three straight games and he hasn’t come anywhere near a positive plus-minus in any game. Opposing teams continue to take advantage of him on the defensive end of the floor.

Atlanta’s recent blowout loss at Cleveland should be a cause for concern for the Hawks’ coaching staff. Young was really efficient on offense in the game. He scored 24 points on just 13 shots. He still managed to finish the game -29 in just over 31 minutes of action.

The issue here is that Young was so bad defensively that he still couldn’t contribute to winning basketball. That’s something that has to change if he’s going to be a valuable starter moving forward. It’s very possible that the loss to the Cavaliers was just a one-off, but it’s something for the Hawks coaching staff to monitor closely moving forward.

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