Are the Atlanta Hawks interested in a Trae Young trade? That is reportedly the $200 million question, and NBA Executives are monitoring it, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
$200 Million Question: Will The Atlanta Hawks Finally Trade Star Point Guard This Summer?
In what has become an almost regular topic, there are rumors that Atlanta might be willing to pull the trigger on a Young blockbuster. The Hawks, who have made several trades over the past year, including sending Dejounte Murray to New Orleans, are once again living in NBA purgatory.
Atlanta is ninth in the Eastern Conference at 28-34, losing 15 of their last 24 contests. Granted, the Hawks have dealt with injuries to several players — losing three to season-ending injuries- throughout the season and dealt De’Andre Hunter to Cleveland at the trade deadline. But if they don’t make the playoffs, which is highly likely at this point –though they may make the NBA’s Play-In Tournament –it would mark the second straight year of no postseason and the fourth time in Young’s seven seasons.
Why Are Rumors Keep Swirling Around Young?
Since at least two NBA trade deadlines ago, there have been rumors that Young may be traded. The 26-year-old gunslinger has been linked to seemingly every club, including Dallas, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and New York. Why does that keep happening?
First and foremost, Young is being paid like a superstar, and his production doesn’t match. Young is undoubtedly fantastic with the ball in his hands and woos the crowd with his range. He is also one of the best distributors in the game today.
However, Young has issues with shot selection. Due to poor shot selection, Young is just a career 35% shooter from beyond the arc. He is turnover-prone and doesn’t finish well around the rim or through contact. Plus, he is a liability on the defensive end, partly due to his slight frame.
The four-time all-star, who has only been NBA All-League (third team) once, is in the midst of a career-worst shooting performance. Young averages 23.5 points, 11.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. While his assists numbers are a career-best, Young is also averaging 4.8 turnovers — tying a career-high — with shooting splits of 40.4/33.0/86.1.
Young is making $43.031 million this year and is due just under $46 million next season. Young also has a $48.967 million player option for the 2026-27 season. More significantly, he is eligible for a four-year, $229 million contract extension.
Will The Hawks Trade Trae Young?
While it is unknown if Atlanta will trade Young, they reportedly have at least been willing to listen to offers in the past. Whatever the Hawks decide to do, it likely won’t be easy, particularly after the backlash that the Dallas Mavericks received for trading Luka Dončić.
Here is the thing. Young has played 465 career games with Atlanta, or 66 contests a year — he has missed over 25 games once in his career, so he has been pretty healthy — with the Hawks posting a 209-257 record (.449 winning percentage). But the Hawks have posted just two winning seasons in the first six seasons and have not won more than 43 games.
Conversely, Atlanta is 29-35 (.453) in games that Young has missed. While the Hawks average 116.2 points with Young in the lineup, about eight more points than without him, the rest of the offensive numbers are comparable whether he plays or not. The Hawks have shot significantly better (46.7%-to-45%) with Young on the court than without him.
Atlanta is also 2-3 in playoff series. The Hawks did reach the 2021 Eastern Conference finals, losing in six games to Milwaukee. But the Hawks haven’t gotten out of the first round in either of their other series, winning a total of three games.
Possibly more consequential for Atlanta is their future salary consideration. If Atlanta doesn’t trade Young, they will likely want to extend him to keep him happy.
Hawks Salary Considerations in 2025-26
Atlanta has 11 players on standard contracts with a cap hit of $146.95 million for 2025-26. Therefore, the Hawks project to have nearly $8 million of cap space available. Next season, Terrence Mann ($15 million) and Jalen Johnson ($30 million) will be the first year of their extensions.
Clint Capela, Caris LeVert, and Larry Nance Jr. are unrestricted free agents. Atlanta also will have three 2025 draft picks, two in the first round and one in the second.
“Atlanta is ideally not looking to go over the luxury tax threshold next season, Scotto wrote. “HoopsHype has learned, which will play a role in the team’s roster construction this summer and the futures of those veterans.”
“How this all affects Young’s future remains to be seen,” Scotto continued. “but it’s a situation that executives will continue to monitor in the coming months.”
Photo Courtesy of © Dale Zanine, Imagn Images
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