The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly working with star point guard Trae Young on a trade ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. As the four-time All-Star looks for a long-term extension in the near future, his trade value received a sobering update, and an NBA insider revealed the most logical destination for the 27-year-old.
NBA Insider Reveals Trae Young’s Most Reasonable Landing Spot
The Hawks are approaching the end of an era as they look to ship their franchise point guard. Drafted No. 5 overall in 2018, Young was a highly touted prospect out of Oklahoma who almost immediately became the new face of the franchise.
In just his third season in 2021, the Lubbock, Texas native became a household name as he led the Hawks on a shocking run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite several successful individual seasons since then, Young and company have failed to recapture that magic, not winning a playoff series since.
Now the two parties are looking to go their separate ways, with Young seeking a new long-term deal as his contract is set to expire after the 2026-27 season. Sam Amick, senior NBA writer for The Athletic, provided the latest update on the point guard’s trade status, identifying the franchise that is Young’s most realistic destination.
“His market has been absolutely battered and bruised the last couple of years. The optics of the Hawks playing well without him these past couple of weeks have made it worse. The Washington (Wizards) thing seems to be the only substantive spot right now. Like, the idea of C.J. McCollum and maybe a Corey Kispert coming their way,” Amick said.
Sam Amick says the Wizards are the only “substantive” landing spot for Trae Young 👀
“This is the Hawks deciding to get off of Trae as opposed to the guy having the leverage.”@sam_amick | @MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/tJmsq5tUEt
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 6, 2026
“C.J.’s contract is expiring, and he could give them another vet so they can compete and do some things this year. And then Corey’s money is a few years out, but less on the books. Everywhere else you go, I’m not hearing much…this is the Hawks deciding to get off of Trae as opposed to the guy having the leverage and trying to get out of town,” he further added.
Young’s Contract Is at the Center of His Complicated Trade Value
Young currently has a $48,967,380 player option for the 2026-27 season, which is a significant factor in current trade discussions. That aspect is another reason why the Hawks’ point guard has seen his value tank, as few franchises will want to either take on that kind of money or give up significant assets for a player who could become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Overall, there likely isn’t much the Hawks can get in return for their franchise player, but the Wizards are in need of a long-term solution at point guard. Young’s passing ability could help further develop this team’s young players, such as Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George. And, as Amick notes, the Hawks can get two good players who are more efficient from three-point range than Young.
