Just a few years ago, it looked like Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks were a match made in heaven. The ongoing season, however, has raised serious doubts about whether it really is.
Young has played 10 games due to injuries. He’s currently out with a quadriceps issue. He is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists, shooting 41.5% from the field and 30.5% from three. The Hawks have a 17-21 start. Many believe the Hawks may be better off without Young. He may be working on a trade behind the scenes. Both Young and the Hawks have been hesitant to make any moves so far.
Four Teams Monitoring Trae Young’s Situation
With Young’s situation in flux, several teams are monitoring Young’s situation according to NBA Insider Michael Scotto.
“The Washington Wizards have discussed a trade for Young centered around CJ McCollum’s $30.67 million expiring contract, as The Stein Line first reported,” per Scotto. “Stein also notes that the Wizards would likely seek additional draft capital, as Young has a $48.97 million player option for next season.”
The Bucks, Timberwolves, and Clippers are monitoring Trae Young’s situation in Atlanta, per @MikeAScotto
“The Washington Wizards have discussed a trade for Young centered around CJ McCollum’s $30.67 million expiring contract, as The Stein Line first reported. Stein also notes… pic.twitter.com/fTy0Zctse6
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 6, 2026
If the Wizards can’t get a deal done, other teams are watching Young’s situation. “In addition, the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Clippers have monitored Young’s situation, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto reports.
The Bucks’ motivation comes from a desire to find better scoring support for Giannis Antetokounmpo, as their offensive struggles have made upgrades a priority.
The Timberwolves are motivated to pair Anthony Edwards with another high-level star and hope that upgrading their point guard spot may help them contend at a higher level.
The Clippers’ interest is influenced by their need to resolve James Harden’s future, and they are weighing whether a trade involving Young could retool their roster around a new core.
“The Clippers have underwhelmed overall to start the season despite a recent winning spurt,” writes Scotto. “They must determine their long-term plan for James Harden, who has a player option for next season, which includes a $13.3 million partially guaranteed salary that becomes fully guaranteed for $42.32 million on July 11th.”
Of course, the Clippers are severely lacking in assets, so trading someone like Harden may be the only way to get back into the mix, whether that means trying to tank or rebuilding around other, younger players, which could include the 27-year-old Young.
Young is owed $45,999,660 this season. He is in the fourth year of a five-year, $215 million deal. Young has a $48,967,380 player option for the 2026-27 season. That means Young could become a free agent after this season. This possibility may scare some teams off.
There is also talk that the Hawks could trade for Dallas Mavericks’ big man Anthony Davis. However, they have resisted including former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher and the Pelicans’ unprotected 2026 first-round draft pick, which they have via the Derik Queen trade, league sources told HoopsHype.
There is a lot to explore if you’re the Hawks. Do they try to acquire Davis and keep Young, Jalen Johnson, and form their own big 3? Do they trade Young for other assets and build around young players like Johnson and Risacher?
With the February 5 trade deadline fast approaching, we should learn a lot about the Hawks over the next month.
