Trae Young Might Be on the Move
There’s buzz that Trae Young could soon be changing teams.
In the last week, the four-time All-Star and his agents have been chatting with the Hawks about a possible trade, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday.
Young, who joined Atlanta after being part of a draft-night trade from the Mavericks in 2018, seems “open-minded” about playing elsewhere, according to Mark Spears of ESPN.
Spears mentioned, “I don’t think he’s asking for a trade, but he isn’t saying he won’t be traded either.” He added that Young appears willing to be impressed and, well, might be ready for a new jersey.
At 27, Young is essentially the face of the Hawks and has been in negotiations with the organization about his future, particularly after they chose not to extend his contract. This season, he’s earning just under $46 million, with a player option worth $49 million for 2026-27.
It’s been a challenging season for him, dealing with various foot injuries, including a sprained right MCL. So far, he’s only played in 10 games.
His shooting has taken quite a dip, hitting a career-low of 30.5 percent on 5.9 attempts per game, which is also a record for him. Additionally, he’s averaging 8.6 assists, down from an impressive 11.6 last season.
Young recently missed five games due to a right quadriceps contusion, with his last appearance being on December 17 against the Knicks, where he scored nine points but struggled with his shooting from beyond the arc.
In his time with the Hawks, he’s made a significant impact. He holds records for the franchise in 3-point shooting and assists and has helped lead his team to the playoffs three times. Notably, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 and faced off against the Bucks.
However, it seems the Hawks are ready to move forward as the December 15 trade deadline approaches, potentially ushering in a new chapter.
The Hawks, standing at 17-20, may see some revitalization from players like Nickell-Alexander-Walker and rising star Jalen Johnson, who is posting impressive numbers this season.
