December 15 marks the unofficial start of the trade season, as it coincides with the large number of players around the league who become trade-eligible.
There have already been plenty of rumors swirling about where Trae Young, who is close to returning from an MCL sprain, could end up, but many of them are unrealistic. Why would the Milwaukee Bucks want Trae and picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo? The Atlanta Hawks likely aren’t accepting a swap for Ja Morant or LaMelo Ball.
However, a combination of youth and draft picks that allows them to remain competitive while still adding to their young core is the right recipe to make a trade happen.
Trade Destinations for Hawks All-Star Trae Young
Raptors Sacrifice Youth to Push for Playoffs
Toronto has gotten off to a scorching hot start to the year. In this Eastern Conference, they have enough talent to make a postseason run. They have been a top 10 defensive team, and Trae can turn them into at least a top-10 offensive team.
Adding Young would vault the Raptors into consideration as one of the best teams in the East. Giving up CMB hurts, but the 2026 pick should be late if this move is successful, and the 2027 pick swap may not even occur. This is a move for a star that doesn’t completely gut the depth of the team, which is a difficult move to pull off.
Atlanta gets back Quickley, who can fill the starting point guard role with Young gone. Toronto just drafted Murray-Boyles, which is why they’d only have to give up their first-round pick this year (should be late) and a pick swap (which may not convey) to get back an All-Star point guard. Quickley is effective with or without the ball, which will complement the current structure of the Hawks well.
Atlanta gets a third first-round pick in a talented class without sacrificing their ability to remain competitive this season. Plus, Murray-Boyles is an exceptional talent. If he pans out, this trade could be a massive win for the Hawks.
Toronto Raptors receive: Trae Young, Nikola Djurisic
Atlanta Hawks receive: Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Collin Murray-Boyles, 2026
Raptors first-round pick, 2027 Raptors first-round pick swap
Magic Build Unstoppable Offense With Divisional Move
Orlando has the defensive infrastructure to make up for Young’s struggles on that end, and his offensive dominance will open everything up for this squad. Having Young, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner all on the court together will be a nightmare in the playoffs. Both Paolo and Franz are strong playmakers, but having Young to set them up will make their lives easier.
When they do look to create, defenses can’t leave Trae open, which will open up driving lanes. Still having Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. in the starting lineup will make this a dangerous group on both ends of the floor.
Bane has had success in Orlando when either Banchero or Wagner has missed time. Still, he hasn’t been able to do much when both are healthy. This is the type of move where it makes sense to trade him this quickly. Atlanta could use his floor spacing, and he’d be more of a priority on offense.
Black has played well this year, and a backcourt rotation of him, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels would be a nightmare for opposing point guards. The pick would give the Hawks a third in this loaded class, even if it will likely be in the late 20s.
Orlando Magic receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks receive: Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, Nuggets 2026 first-round pick (top-five protected)
Trail Blazers Accelerate Timeline With Big Swing
Injuries have limited Portland recently, but they’ve looked good when healthy this year. Instead of waiting on Scoot to get healthy and hope he can take a leap this year, they can bring in a former top-five pick that has already proven what he can be.
Trae can start alongside Jrue Holiday in the backcourt, which would offset Young’s defensive issues. They would have a playoff team, and they’d only been giving up the picks that they got back for Damian Lillard. This is a swing for a superstar that doesn’t mortgage the team’s future.
Atlanta takes a chance on Scoot and takes on Grant’s contract, which isn’t ideal. Still, the draft capital will make it worth it. The Hawks already have two picks tied to the Bucks and Pelicans (with a more favorable first-round pick in 2026 and a less favorable one in 2027), and now they can add more Milwaukee draft capital.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future cloudy, those picks could end up being at the top of the draft. However, Giannis and the Bucks have denied all rumors, so there is still a chance he stays and keeps this team competitive, or they trade him and receive enough compensation to remain a playoff team in the East.
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, 2028 Bucks first-round pick, 2029 Trail Blazers/Bucks first-round pick (most favorable), 2030 Bucks first-round pick
Rockets Fill Out Stacked Starting Lineup
Houston fans probably don’t want to give up Sheppard, and I get it. However, that’s the price that has to be paid to bring in an established star like Young. They’d have enough star power in that lineup to do more than just “give the Thunder a run for their money.” A starting lineup of Trae, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün would immediately be one of the best in the league.
Since neither VanVleet nor DFS has played this season, they wouldn’t have to scramble to add more depth. This move would push Josh Okogie to the bench, but it would leave them with enough depth to compete for a championship.
Of course, the appeal here for Atlanta is Sheppard and the draft pick. VanVleet is on the wrong side of 30 and will be coming off an ACL tear, but he can be a valuable piece for the Hawks next season. DFS will be a nice locker room and depth piece. But Sheppard has tremendous upside on both ends of the floor, which will fit in well with what the Hawks have been doing without Young.
Plus, even if the 2027 class doesn’t seem to be as strong as the 2026 class, they could add another early pick. This pick is similar to the “super pick” the Hawks currently have; it will likely be the Nets’ pick, but in the unlikely scenario that Houston’s pick is more favorable, Atlanta would receive that pick instead.
Houston Rockets receive: Trae Young, Nikola Djurisic
Atlanta Hawks receive: Reed Sheppard, Fred VanVleet, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2027 Nets first-round pick swap (more favorable), 2031 Rockets first-round pick“`
