Though the Atlanta Hawks still have an opportunity to extend their 2023-24 NBA season via the play-in round, talk has already turned to what their plans for the future might be, specifically regarding star guard Trae Young.
“Many sources around the NBA believe Young will be on the move this summer — assuming Atlanta can find a buyer,” wrote Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
Though Young is a three-time NBA All-Star Game selection – including this season – it has not translated into sustained team success for the Hawks during his six seasons with them. He did help them make an unexpected run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, which they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, but they have not won a playoff series since.
“It’s difficult to win with a player like Trae,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “He needs to be the best player on your team, but he’s not at that top-tier level.”
This regular season, the Hawks had a 36-46 record and are the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, which means they have to win two games in the play-in round to make it into the playoffs.
Young missed significant time late in the campaign because of a torn ligament in his left pinkie and only recently returned to play the final three games of the regular season. He averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game in the 54 appearances he was able to make.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks who was traded for No. 3 overall pick Luka Doncic on draft day, Young has three years and $138 million remaining on his current contract. That financial commitment could limit Young’s market if Atlanta is indeed looking to move on.
“However, the buzz around the NBA is that the Hawks will make more significant changes, starting with moving Young — provided there’s a market for the talented, diminutive scoring point guard,” Pincus wrote.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Young recently, and back in February, former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins floated the idea of Young joining the San Antonio Spurs to play alongside Victor Wembanyama. The Brooklyn Nets also may be a possible landing spot.
Back at the NBA trade deadline this past February, rumors and reports had the Hawks possibly looking to move Dejounte Murray. However, it seems there’s a chance Atlanta will look to build around Murray instead.
The Hawks will play the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday and if victorious will get another game in the play-in round as they attempt to advance. If not, they likely will turn most of their attention to the decision they will have to make about Young this coming offseason.
