Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has expressed that he does not view his exclusion from the upcoming All-Star Game as a personal snub. Instead, he has coined a new term to describe his situation: “getting ‘Traed’.” He shared this sentiment on social media, indicating his dissatisfaction with not being selected for the prestigious event happening in San Francisco on February 16. Young, who leads the NBA in assists this season and has made three All-Star appearances in the past, was not chosen by the league’s coaches, who revealed their selections on Thursday.
Alongside Young, other notable players, including Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker—who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a four-time All-Star—also failed to secure a place in the lineup. This incident marks yet another time Booker has been overlooked despite impressive statistics; he expressed a desire to participate in the All-Star Game but acknowledged the opportunity to spend time with his family during the break, finding solace in that.
As the debate over who deserved an All-Star selection heats up, the recurring question arises: who made the roster that may not deserve a spot? Booker commented on the nature of these conversations, stating, “That’s always going to be the conversation every year — who got snubbed, who didn’t. There are a lot of people who are deserving.”
Young last participated in the All-Star Game in 2022. Although he was chosen as an injury replacement last year by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, many believe he deserves a more permanent place on the roster. Hawks coach Quin Snyder also weighed in on the issue, affirming that the players who made the All-Star team are indeed deserving. However, he expressed his disappointment regarding Young’s absence from the lineup, stating “I feel like he’s had the best year of his career,” acknowledging that while he respects those selected, his disappointment for Young is valid.
The process for selecting All-Star players involves a combination of fan voting, which comprises 50% of the total decision-making. In the Eastern Conference, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball received the most fan votes among backcourt players but fell short of being a starter. He finished third in player rankings and seventh in media voting, eventually missing out on a reserve spot due to insufficient coach votes. Remarkably, Ball is the first player to win the fan vote for his position under the current voting format without ultimately being selected for the All-Star Game.
Booker praised both Young and Ball for their “unheard of numbers” this season and supported the idea of expanding All-Star rosters, stating, “the more talent in there, the better.” He highlighted the impressive roster of players currently in the league, suggesting that there are numerous candidates each year who could justifiably claim an All-Star designation.
In conclusion, both Young and Booker, among others, may have been overlooked this season, prompting ongoing discussions about the selection process and the talent present in the league today.
