Although Dominique Wilkins never brought a championship to the Atlanta Hawks, his legacy looms large. Nine All-Star appearances, two Slam Dunk Contest wins, and a Hall of Fame induction cemented his status as an icon. To fans, he’s ‘The Human Highlight Film’, the franchise’s cornerstone for over a decade. But recently, Wilkins sparked laughter and curiosity when he hinted at still catching a lob from Trae Young—a player he’s often admired.

Speaking to Brad Parker from theScore, Wilkins delivered a memorable interview, blending humility and wit. When asked, “If you got a 10 day with the Hawks, what value could you add right now at your age?” Wilkins chuckled, replying, “None. Them days are gone.” The conversation shifted to an intriguing scenario—could he still catch a lob from Trae? Wilkins quipped, “I could catch a lob. One onetime, then they gonna have to take me out of the game.” Cue laughter from both the host and Wilkins himself.

During his prime, Wilkins would’ve paired effortlessly with a talent like Trae Young. A nine-time All-Star, Wilkins also bagged All-NBA honors across multiple seasons, claimed the 1986 scoring title, and dazzled as a two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion. Add to that his place on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, and you have a player who epitomized dominance—traits any modern guard like Young would cherish in a teammate.

When Parker asked how Wilkins’ numbers might look in today’s NBA, Wilkins replied modestly, “I really don’t know,” before slyly adding, “I averaged 30 in the hand-check era. It’d be more than I was averaging then.” Even in his 60s, Wilkins’ confidence mirrors the swagger fans adored on the court.

Statistically, Wilkins remains the face of the Hawks. Over 12 seasons, he logged a franchise-best 882 games, 32,545 minutes, and 23,292 career points. His 26.4 points-per-game average remains unmatched in team history—a legacy young stars like Trae Young strive to uphold while forging their own paths. However, Wilkins has always spoken highly of Young.

Wilkins can’t hide his love for Trae Young’s game

Since taking on the role of VP of Basketball Operations in 2004, Dominique Wilkins has seen his fair share of talented players walk through the doors at State Farm Arena. Yet, no one has brought the Hawks a second championship banner. That changed in 2021—at least in spirit—when Trae Young led the Hawks to a division title. During that postseason run, Wilkins didn’t hold back on #Greeny, publicly backing Young and his potential to transform the franchise.

“There’s very few guys who have that ‘it’ factor,” Wilkins explained, “and Trae Young is one of them. He loves the competition, he lives for the big moments, and that’s how great players are made.” He shared that the two have been close since day one, adding, “Trae and I have talked from the very first day he came in the league…I’m just so proud of what he’s done.”

Even recently, Wilkins couldn’t resist hyping Young. After Young celebrated his 11,000 career points in December, Wilkins chimed in with a heartfelt comment: “The man! I believe in @traeyoung. Take us to the promised land, my man! #finishthestory.”

Of course, Wilkins didn’t stop there. He left another comment filled with a heart and several fire emojis. Clearly, the love and admiration go both ways, and fans are loving the bond between the franchise’s past and its future.