Is there a storm brewing in Atlanta?
Just a day after the Hawks announced that Travis Schlenk would be stepping down as the team's president of basketball operations, Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes revealed that rival executives believe Trae Young could be the next big name to request a trade.
"How the Hawks shape the roster around Young under general manager Landry Fields, the newly appointed front-office chief, will be monitored closely," Haynes wrote. "A source told B/R that Young and Fields meet routinely and have a great relationship."
To be clear, these are executives who don't work for the Hawks. Atlanta may have no intention of trading away Young anytime soon.
Still, the fact that Young's future seems uncertain only a year after he signed a maximum rookie extension should set off some (minor) alarm bells throughout the NBA. It's not often that a 24-year-old All-Star becomes available.
Then again, Young isn't the kind of player who can just slide into any rotation. His playing style and contract make gauging his true value a difficult process.
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Why would Trae Young request a trade?
In his report, Haynes noted that Young is extremely competitive and "has a strong desire to win big in this league." The Hawks appeared to be on an upward trajectory after reaching the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but they finished the 2021-22 season with a disappointing 43-39 record, losing in the first round to the Heat.
As of Dec. 22, Atlanta is 16-16, sitting at No. 9 in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament race. The Hawks rank below average in offensive rating (No. 19), defensive rating (No. 17) and net rating (No. 21). Young and offseason acquisition Dejounte Murray have posted impressive counting stats, but they are clearly still learning how to play together.
There is time for Fields to tweak the roster, and a dramatic change could be on the table in the form of a John Collins trade. Hawks ownership has given Fields the "green light" to make upgrades, per Haynes.
But even with some changes, Atlanta may not be able to advance beyond the Play-In Tournament or first round — and Young is part of the problem.
Trae Young's playing style
Young is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the NBA, a lightning-quick guard capable of pulling up for deep shots off the dribble or throwing lasers through tight windows. He is a threat to go off for 30 points and 15 assists on any given night.
The problem is that Young's style doesn't work in any system. In Atlanta, Young has been the system.
He is once again among the league leaders in time of possession, average seconds per touch and average dribbles per touch. Everything goes through him.
And on the defensive end? That's an adventure for Young. He is one of the worst defenders in the league, according to FiveThirtyEight's Defensive RAPTOR metric, and the eye test backs up the advanced stats. Young, who is already at a disadvantage because of his size (6-1, 164 pounds), often displays poor effort, and he easily gets stuck on screens.
Young's shortcomings are more glaring when he isn't rolling on offense. Through 29 games this season, he is shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from 3-point range.
Those numbers should go up over time, but is Young willing to take a hard look at himself in those other areas?
Trae Young's contract
Young, who is represented by Klutch Sports Group agent Omar Wilkes, signed a five-year maximum rookie extension last summer. The deal includes a 2025 early termination option and a 15 percent trade kicker.
| Year | Age | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 24 | $37.1 million |
| 2023-24 | 25 | $40.1 million |
| 2024-25 | 26 | $43.0 million |
| 2025-26 | 27 | $46.0 million |
| 2026-27 | 28 | $49.0 million (PO) |
That financial component would be a major part of any trade negotiations. Matching Young's hefty salary could be a challenging task for certain teams, and the Hawks would also want draft pick compensation in their return package.
Trae Young landing spots
Haynes' report just emerged, so let's not start throwing around specific players and future picks. We can ease into the trade discussion by listing a few teams that make at least some sense for Young.
Bulls: Chicago has been a disaster without Lonzo Ball. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are terrific scorers, but they aren't table-setters. The Bulls need a point guard.
Heat: Halfcourt offense is always a grind for the Heat. They rank 26th in offensive rating this season, but they are a top-10 team defensively. Young can boost Miami's offense, and his teammates can cover for him on the other end.
Knicks: The villain turns into the hero of Madison Square Garden? New York may be hesitant to take the ball out of Jalen Brunson's hands because he has been excellent in his first season with the Knicks, but he knows how to work alongside a ball-dominant player. Just ask Luka Doncic.
Magic: Imagine Young dropping dimes to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. Sounds pretty cool, right?
Timberwolves: We've watched Young throw lobs to Clint Capela countless times. He would have instant pick-and-roll chemistry with Rudy Gobert, who is also the type of defensive anchor Young would love to have behind him.
