Trae Young’s Trade and Brooklyn’s Future
Trae Young initially had his sights set on Brooklyn. However, the Nets had other plans and weren’t interested in pursuing him.
On Wednesday, Atlanta traded Young to Washington. Interestingly, the fact that the Nets were one of two preferred destinations proposed by Young’s representatives suggests that he’s not shying away from Brooklyn after the Big Three’s collapse. This could indeed signal optimism for the Nets as they work on their rebuild.
It’s been confirmed that Brooklyn isn’t considering signing Young. Reports suggest that both the Nets and Timberwolves were his favored choices, but neither team made a move for him.
Brooklyn entered its rebuilding phase back in 2024 when general manager Sean Marks, alongside owner Joe Tsai, traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks in exchange for a historic five first-round draft picks. They did not shy away from the tough process, even selecting five first-round picks this past June.
Marks has been vocal about the team’s commitment to youth and versatile defense, which makes it somewhat surprising that Young—a player who’s known for different strengths—was interested in joining their ranks.
Young, a standout playmaker who led the league in assists last season, is also tied to a hefty $46 million player option this year and could opt for $49 million next season. Yet, his defensive contributions have raised eyebrows, especially with Atlanta’s struggles: they’re currently 15-13 without him and 2-8 while he plays, largely because of a serious MCL injury he sustained early in a game against Brooklyn.
Young’s agents are actively working with Atlanta’s GM to find a suitable scenario for the 27-year-old. On the flip side, the Nets have been proud of their top-notch defense lately and maintain a relationship with Michael Porter Jr., whom Young considers a close friend.
Actually, they’ve known each other for quite a while, playing on the same AAU team that clinched a championship. You can hear Young’s respect in the way he talks about Porter, even claiming he’s “the best player in the world at his size.” Yet, Brooklyn would likely have to offload significant contracts—like those of Porter and starting centers Nic Claxton and Terrence Mann—to fit Young into their lineup. That might explain why Young seemed more drawn to joining the Nets than the Nets themselves were inclined to acquire him.
Still, questions linger about the Nets’ appeal post-Big Three era. The departure of James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant has changed the landscape, especially following Mikal Bridges’ resignation.
But regardless of the Nets not wanting him, it’s worth noting that at least one All-Star saw the potential in Brooklyn. The organization aims to maximize this summer as a pivotal moment, hoping that being attractive to established veterans indicates positive growth on the horizon.
