Why is Trae Young Not Receiving NBA MVP Consideration?

To call the Atlanta Hawks a disappointment through the first half of the season would not be hyperbolic statement.

After going 27-11 in the team's final 38 games of the 2021 season; securing the No. 5 spot in the playoffs and beating both the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, the Hawks took the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks to a very competitive six-game series.

This season, however, the Hawks are 19-25, sitting in the No. 12 spot of the Eastern Conference and on the outside looking in for the postseason.

Despite the team's struggles, it's hard to place the blame at the foot of Hawks point guard Trae Young.

In his fourth year in the league, Young leads the entire NBA in total points scored, while also ranking third in assists, first in assist percentage, fifth in points-per-game, and third in usage rate.

The numbers are both eye-popping and historic. Via FanSided's Soaring Down South, Young is on pace to average at least 27 points and nine assists per game over an entire season; something that's only happened 14 times in NBA.

According to the NBA analytics site NBAMath, Young currently ranks seventh in their Most Valuable Player metrics which factor in two dominant factors: rolling team ratings, and team success.

Right now, Young's odds to win the NBA MVP at WynnBET Sportsbook sit at +12500, or 125/1. 16 players currently sit ahead of him on this list, including our Peter Dewey's pick of Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Could the Atlanta Hawks Make Another Second Half Run This Year?

The Hawks recently made a noteworthy trade, shipping 21-year old forward Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks for a future first round pick and Kevin Knox. While reports indicated that Reddish was looking for a more prominent role and potentially a long term extension elsewhere, a team in their window to contend doesn't just punt on a high upside player like Reddish without another likely move to come.

When the trade was announced, I wrote why bettors shouldn't be selling their Hawks stock just yet, knowing that they very much remain in the playoff race. With reports and rumors coming from ownership that Atlanta must remain in their window to compete, General Manager Travis Schlenk will be aggressive at the NBA Trade Deadline to acquire parts that will work well alongside with Young to be successful.

Atlanta has won two in a row, including a massive home comeback down 17 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. If Young continues to be the catalyst for the Hawks potential resurgence and puts his team back on his back, there's incredible value on this number of 125/1 as it currently stands over at WynnBET.

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