With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, rumors of seismic trades around the NBA are emerging. Most recently, Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young also seems to be a prime candidate to be dealt at the deadline.
The rumor mill is circling several huge names. Anthony Davis is very likely to be moved by the deadline as the Dallas Mavericks look to rebuild around Cooper Flagg. However, Young’s name popping up is very intriguing. Young averaged the most assists last season with 11.6, and could help multiple point guard-needy teams.
“It Makes Sense To Part Ways Now,” NBA Insider Predicts Hawks Trade Stance on Trae Young
Remarkably, it has reached the point where the Hawks may move on from their once-franchise player. Not too long ago, he led them to a Conference Finals. Since then, his influence has waned, and they are looking to focus the franchise around Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. Reportedly, they are apparently far apart in extension talks, according to an insider.
NBA insider Brett Siegel believes “It makes sense to part ways now” due to Young and the Hawks being far apart in extension talks. Furthermore, it’s reported that the Hawks haven’t even discussed Young’s future with his camp this season.
“Then again, the Hawks have yet to discuss Young’s future with his camp this season, sources said,” Siegel reports. “The four-time All-Star guard recently returned from the knee sprain that kept him sidelined for roughly 10 weeks, and his focus has been on making the team better, not the potential of being traded.”
Nevertheless, Siegel believes “…the writing has been on the wall for Young’s departure in Atlanta, especially with the two sides barely talking about an extension this past offseason and being well apart on his overall value.”
“It makes sense to part ways now before Young picks up his $48.9 million after this season, making him a prime candidate to be dealt by the deadline due to the cap ramifications, including Daniels’ extension.”
With the Mavericks wishing to trade Davis, rumors suggest that they could send him to Atlanta and add a third team, such as the Sacramento Kings, to facilitate a trade involving Young, as the Mavericks await the return of Kyrie Irving. One site even floated the possibility of an eye-popping five-team trade involving those teams, plus the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets.
The Kings make a ton of sense as a potential destination, as they are surely regretting trading point guard De’Aaron Fox; they’ve struggled markedly since moving their point guard. Also, keep an eye out for the Miami Heat, as they are a point guard-needy team in need of raising their ceiling.
Young has had some up-and-down seasons, despite being a consistent double-double threat and a strong playmaker; he has struggled with efficiency, and his field goal percentage was a career-low .411 last season.
Additionally, the Hawks have performed well this season despite Young’s injury. Meanwhile, Johnson has been in incredible form this season, as have Onyeka Okongwu and Daniels, making it likely that Young is traded in the near future.
