The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Atlanta Hawks. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team, fans are eagerly awaiting answers. Recently, on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Brian Scalabrine raised a major question about the Hawks’ roster and it has sparked a lot of discussion among fans and analysts alike.
Scalabrine, a former NBA player and current analyst, believes that the upcoming season will be a crucial one for the Hawks, particularly for their star player Trae Young. He stated that it will be a chance to see what Young can do alongside a “pick and pop” player, referring to the team’s potential acquisition of a big man who can shoot from the perimeter.
This statement has raised a lot of eyebrows and has fans wondering what exactly Scalabrine means. Is he suggesting that Young needs a specific type of player to succeed? Or is he questioning the current makeup of the Hawks’ roster?
One thing is for sure, the Hawks have a lot of potential heading into the 2025-26 season. Young, who was drafted by the team in 2018, has quickly become one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the league. In just his third season, he averaged 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game, solidifying himself as the team’s leader and future star.
However, despite Young’s impressive numbers, the Hawks have yet to make a deep playoff run. In fact, they have only made it to the playoffs once in Young’s three seasons with the team, losing in the first round each time. This has led to questions about the team’s supporting cast and whether they are capable of helping Young reach his full potential.
Scalabrine’s comments only add fuel to the fire. He is essentially challenging the Hawks to prove themselves and show that they are a team that can compete at the highest level. And with the 2025-26 season just around the corner, the pressure is on for the Hawks to make some significant moves and prove their doubters wrong.
But what exactly does Scalabrine mean by a “pick and pop” player? In simple terms, it refers to a big man who can set screens for Young and then pop out to the perimeter for a jump shot. This type of player would not only provide Young with another scoring option, but also create more space on the court for him to operate.
Currently, the Hawks’ roster does not have a player who fits this description. While they do have some talented big men, such as John Collins and Clint Capela, they are not known for their outside shooting. This has led to some criticism of the team’s front office for not addressing this need in previous seasons.
However, the Hawks have made some moves this offseason that could potentially address this issue. They drafted Jalen Green, a highly-touted shooting guard who has the potential to become a “pick and pop” player for Young. They also signed veteran forward Danilo Gallinari, who is known for his outside shooting and could provide some much-needed spacing for the team.
But will these moves be enough to satisfy Scalabrine’s question? Only time will tell. The Hawks will have to prove themselves on the court and show that they are a team capable of competing for a championship. And with Young leading the way, there is no doubt that they have the potential to do just that.
In conclusion, the 2025-26 season will be a crucial one for the Atlanta Hawks. With Brian Scalabrine’s question looming over the team, they will have to prove themselves and show that they are a team to be reckoned with. But with a talented young core and some promising offseason moves, the future looks bright for the Hawks and their fans. Let’s hope they can rise to the challenge and make the most of this upcoming season.
