Atlanta Hawks

Report: Many NBA sources think Trae Young will be traded this summer if Hawks can find buyer

Published by
Mike Battaglino

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.

Mike Battaglino

Mike is a veteran journalist who has focused on New York sports. He has covered the NBA and NFL for almost three decades and is still waiting for the next championship for the Knicks and Jets.

Published by
Mike Battaglino

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

11 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

3 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

5 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago