Trae Young Takes Shot at 2024 NBA Rookies

Atlanta Hawks All-Star point guard Trae Young took a massive shot at the incoming 2024 NBA rookie class, including the No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr.

Read More: Chiefs Players Have Surprising Consensus Answer for NBA GOAT

Young appeared on Paul George’s podcast, “Podcast P Show,” and did not sugarcoat his feelings about the class that will soon display their skills in the coming months. Young took shots at the whole class, but in particular, the No. 2 overall pick, the new Washington Wizards center.

“I mean to be honest with you, and no disrespect to the guys that got drafted, I mean from the outside looking in… a lot of us look at them as role players coming in anyway,” Young said. “I feel like the GMs all this year are probably just trying to figure out who’s going to be the best role player for their team. As good as Alex Sarr is I don’t think he’s going to be their [Washington Wizards] franchise player going forward. You know what I’m saying? He’s going to be a great, great player, have a long NBA career, but just the outlook on any of these guys coming in. It wasn’t like they were going to be Luka [Doncic] type guys or [Zion Williamson types], you know what I’m saying?”

Young doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Sarr, especially after he tried to pull an Eli Manning, as reports before the draft suggested he didn’t want to play for Atlanta and preferred to play for the Wizards.

Sarr declined those allegations pre- and post-draft.

Nonetheless, Young is not the only one who thinks lowly of this class. Many draft experts and basketball heads felt the same way about it. There was no consensus No. 1 overall pick or a player who is expected to be an All-Star for numerous seasons. That could all change as time passes, especially for Young’s newest teammate, the Hawks’ No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.

The 19-year-old from Spain is set to play a pivotal role with the Hawks and alongside Young. Although there were rumors surrounding Young and his disapproval of Risacher, he stated that he’s spoken to the kid and is looking forward to getting to know him.

“I spoke with him. A lot of people were talking about how I didn’t tweet about ’em or stuff on draft day and things like that. I’ve always done that and stuff, but I messaged him behind the scenes right before Summer League and just shot him some good luck. Just stuff like that,” Young noted. “We ain’t got to work out yet, but he played right before Summer League overseas…”

In two Summer League games, Risacher averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from three with eight attempts a game.

Young had some harsh words for the class, but it’s too early to count them out.

Read More: Lakers Legend, NBA Hall of Famer Calls Out Mavericks’ Luka Doncic: ‘He’s Lazy’