Hawks coach Nate McMillan is currently wearing the “interim” badge, but star guard Trae Young appears hopeful that will change.
“I couldn’t see a scenario where he’s not back with us,” Young told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on The Woj Pod. “The way we’re winning right now. If we go into the playoffs and do really well, it’s hard to see him not back next year. At the end of the day it’s not up to me, but as a player, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be back.”
The Hawks (36-30) currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and have climbed as high as fourth.
McMillan is in his first year in Atlanta, replacing the fired Lloyd Pierce on March 1. The young Hawks have surged since then, fighting for home-court advantage in the first-round of the playoffs with the regular season nearing an end.
“He’s giving everybody confidence and I think the main thing is he’s telling everybody to be themselves,” Young said recently. “It’s been really working for us.”
Prior to joining the Hawks, McMillan served as head coach of the Pacers for four years, leading them to the playoffs each time. They also lost in the first round each season, leading to the Pacers’ decision to part ways at the end of last season.
Interestingly, the Pacers are currently undergoing some coaching drama under first-year man Nate Bjorkgren.
