The Atlanta Hawks, who are towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference’s play-in range and one of the more disappointing teams of this NBA season, have been playing a little better lately, but they are still below.500.
The Trae Young hype that surfaced this week will only intensify if those three factors hold true until the end of the season.
“The decision to keep [Dejounte] Murray, however, certainly has more than a few front offices out there believing that the Hawks could reach the point—provided this season doesn’t end well—that they entertain the most dramatic possible reset,” Marc Stein, a longtime reporter, wrote.
“Perhaps the more significant reason why Trae Trade Talk has a more tangible feel than ever before: There appears to be a true market forming for Young for really the first time in his six seasons as a Hawk.”
Young might actually be traded this summer if the market becomes competitive enough and Atlanta keeps performing poorly (the Hawks are down 2.0 points per 100 possessions with both Young and Murray on the court during their combined season and a half).
Not only do the four teams listed below seem like plausible Young suitors, but their trade offers would force Atlanta’s front office to consider their options.
The Trade: Trae Young for D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Rui Hachimura, and first-round selections in 2024, 2029, and 2031.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic provided some insight into the Los Angeles Lakers’ cautious strategy shortly after their decision to remain put during this season’s trade deadline.
