Trae Young Linked To 4 Notable NBA Trades
Trae Young Linked To 4 Notable NBA Trades
The Atlanta Hawks wrapped up their season after a play-in loss to the Miami Heat. Now, all eyes are on a crossroads offseason, with injuries, young talent, and contract headaches swirling around All-Star point guard Trae Young.
Even without a playoff run, a few young Hawks made real noise. Zaccharie Risacher kept getting better and ended up in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Dyson Daniels, meanwhile, looked like a defensive ace beside Young and even turned some heads as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Onyeka Okongwu slid into the starting center role and mostly held his own. Jalen Johnson, before his setback, flashed that All-Star upside people have been hoping for.
Injuries to Johnson, Clint Capela, and Larry Nance hit Atlanta hard late in the year. With those guys healthy, you can’t help but wonder if they would’ve landed a solid playoff spot instead of a play-in exit. That context really matters as Atlanta weighs its next move.
The big question, though, is Trae Young’s future. His spot as the Hawks’ franchise centerpiece is up in the air, thanks to swirling trade rumors and looming contract choices. Young could get a massive extension—anywhere from four years, $229 million to a five-year, $345 million supermax if he lands on an All-NBA team. If no deal gets done, there’s still his $49 million player option for 2026-27, and if he walks, well, it’s free agency time.
Trade Rumors and Possible Destinations
Talk of a Trae Young trade started simmering last offseason but really picked up after Dejounte Murray was shipped to New Orleans. Teams still love elite point guards, and a few franchises keep popping up as possible landing spots if Atlanta decides to move on.
Possible destinations include:
| Team | Rationale for Fit |
|---|---|
| Orlando Magic | Needs scoring and playmaking, pairing Young with young core of forwards; has contracts and picks to make a deal |
| Brooklyn Nets | Significant cap space available, seeks an offensive catalyst for a rebuild |
| Phoenix Suns | May pursue roster changes; uncertain fit given existing stars and salary constraints |
| San Antonio Spurs | Playmaking addition to a young core; less likely following other roster additions |
The Magic have Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but their offense is still clunky. Young could be that spark—someone to create shots and distribute, and Orlando’s got the assets to make a deal happen without gutting their roster.
Brooklyn, on the other hand, has cap space and only a couple of big contracts on the books beyond this season. They’re itching for a new offensive leader, and Young would give them that clear direction for their young group.
Phoenix? Maybe, but it’s a weird fit. Too many stars, not enough financial wiggle room. San Antonio was in the mix, but after grabbing De’Aaron Fox, it feels like that ship’s sailed.
Organizational Questions and Roster Direction
Atlanta’s front office is staring down a bunch of tough questions. They’ve got two first-rounders in the next draft and a pretty solid record when it comes to developing young players. Do they double down on the youth movement, or swing for the fences with a win-now push? Not easy, especially when your best player’s entering his prime and may not want to wait around.
Young’s preferences matter here. If he’s itching to win right away, Atlanta could look for trades that bring in proven vets—or maybe they flip him to a contender. If they decide to keep him, the new NBA CBA makes it trickier to keep the books clean and the roster flexible.
Here’s a quick look at the basic choices:
| Path | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|
| Extend Trae Young | Retains franchise player, signals win-now or hybrid build |
| Trade Trae Young | Acquires youth or picks, full rebuild or retooling |
| Build Around Young Core | Focus on development, possible playoff contention growth |
| Target Veterans for Depth | Seeks to accelerate timeline, increased financial stakes |
Internal Optimism and Player Confidence
Despite all the noise, there’s still a sense inside the organization that Young is the guy to build around. He’s said as much himself, both during the year and in his exit interviews—he wants to win in Atlanta and believes it can happen. The front office has always tried to put the right pieces around him, especially versatile wings and defenders who can cover his weak spots.
Injuries really did a number on the Hawks’ season. Having Johnson, Capela, and Nance healthy could’ve changed everything. If those guys are back to full strength next year, there’s some real hope Atlanta can climb the Eastern Conference standings.
Rising Young Core and Player Performance
The Hawks have quietly put together one of the NBA’s more intriguing young groups. Risacher, Daniels, Okongwu, and Johnson bring a mix of defense, upside, and flexibility that most teams would love to have. The league noticed, too—award nominations rolled in for several of them.
Some highlights:
- Zaccharie Risacher: Rookie of the Year nominee; a real two-way wing.
- Dyson Daniels: Defensive Player of the Year nod; perimeter pest.
- Jalen Johnson: Looked like an All-Star before the injury bug bit.
- Onyeka Okongwu: Adjusted nicely to being the starting center, holding down the paint.
This core gives the front office options. They can keep developing these guys and see who pops, or they could package some of them in a bigger trade if they want to speed things up.
Contract, CBA Implications, and Offseason Priorities
Money’s always part of the equation, and the NBA’s new salary cap rules make things even trickier. Go over certain payroll lines and you lose flexibility—it’s that simple. Paying Young the max would tie up a huge chunk of the cap, and with other young guys needing new deals soon, it’s a balancing act.
Here’s a snapshot of the contract scenarios:
| Scenario | Term | Estimated Value | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-year Young extension | Until 2029 | $229 million | Loses max flexibility, keeps star player |
| Five-year supermax (if eligible) | Until 2030 | $345 million | Conditional on All-NBA honors |
| Picking up Young’s 2026-27 option | 2026-27 | $49 million (player) | Early free agent risk post-option |
| Not extending Young | Possible free agency 2026 | Market value uncertain | Risk/asset management for trade timing |
Atlanta’s also got to keep an eye on the development curve for their young core. Rookie deals turn into expensive extensions before you know it, so juggling cost, growth, and playoff ambitions is going to be a real test for the front office this summer.
Playoff Aspirations, Team Identity, and External Perceptions
The play-in loss to Miami closed the chapter on an injury-riddled, yet promising season. The foundation in Atlanta revolves around balancing immediate competitiveness with sustainability for long-term success.
External observers see both pressure and opportunity here. The Hawks could lean into their young core with smart additions, or maybe even shake things up entirely by trading the face of their team.
League chatter about Trae Young’s future isn’t going anywhere this offseason. Teams craving offense or a jolt of youth—think the Magic or Nets—keep popping up as potential suitors, thanks to their fit and assets.
But Atlanta’s own goals, plus the realities of the CBA and salary cap, mean every option needs a hard look—not just for next season, but for the long haul. There’s always another layer to consider, isn’t there?
Atlanta also has to deal with how they’re seen from the outside. In the front office, on the bench, even in the locker room, there’s this lingering feeling of unfinished business, like they just need a bit more stability and health to really show what they can do.
How the organization handles the Young question will end up shaping the franchise’s direction and identity for seasons to come.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
