Atlanta`s journey to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals now seems less impressive in retrospect. Their victories against the Knicks and 76ers were more about opponent weaknesses than Hawks` strength, and the Bucks easily defeated them. Since then, the Hawks have struggled to rise above mediocrity in the Eastern Conference.
In 2022, Miami dominated them in the playoffs. The acquisition of Dejounte Murray aimed to improve their fortunes, but the 2023 season ended in another first-round exit against Boston. The 2024 season was even worse, missing the playoffs entirely after a play-in loss to Chicago, highlighting Trae Young`s defensive vulnerabilities. The subsequent play-in tournament in 2025 perfectly encapsulated the frustrating Trae Young era.
Young was ejected from their first play-in game against Orlando and was quiet in the first half of the second game against Miami. Miami`s defensive strategy heavily focused on containing him, a common tactic against Young. Like Nikola Jokić, Young has often played without a true All-Star teammate, consistently surrounded by younger players and role players. Despite this, he has shown flashes of brilliance, as seen in his dominant second half performance against Miami that forced overtime. However, it wasn`t enough to secure the win.
Overall, the partnership between Young and the Hawks has not yielded significant success. Young has only won two playoff series in his seven years with Atlanta, and the team has rarely been significantly above .500. There have been indications of dissatisfaction from both sides.
Rumors of Young`s potential trade surfaced at the trade deadline, fueled by reports that he is a `fierce competitor` who `wants to win.` The Hawks, presumably sharing this goal, have also reportedly considered trading Young to improve their team.
ESPN`s Tim MacMahon suggested in August that the lack of a strong trade market for Young is telling. Instead of trading Young, the Hawks traded Murray, hoping for better results with Young as the primary point guard. This strategy clearly did not produce the desired improvement.
Both Young and the Hawks seem to be at a point where change is needed. With Young becoming a free agent in 2026, the Hawks must decide whether to trade him to avoid losing him for nothing if they don`t plan to keep him. Similarly, Young may decline an extension if he desires a change of scenery. A split may be beneficial for both parties, but finding a better situation elsewhere might be challenging.
Hawks Potential with Young
Young`s exceptional shot-creation ability is undeniable, and there`s a case to be made for the Hawks` potential with him and their developing young core. Data indicates that the Hawks performed significantly better with Young and Jalen Johnson on the court. Young players like Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels are still developing and hold promise. Despite having valuable wing players, the Hawks made a questionable decision by trading De`Andre Hunter in what appeared to be a salary dump. However, they still possess pieces to build around, including a young group with growth potential.
The key question is whether Young`s presence is conducive to this development. The Hawks have a wealth of versatile wings, a promising young center in Onyeka Okongwu, and a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Daniels. Yet, they ranked only 18th in defense. Young`s defensive impact is likely a significant factor. When Young was off the court, the Hawks` defensive rating improved dramatically, becoming comparable to the league-leading Thunder.
Offensively, Young`s impact is more complex. He undeniably makes the game easier for his teammates, leading the league in assist rate multiple times. His usage rate has decreased, indicating a slight shift towards a more team-oriented approach with more ball screens and less isolation play. However, fundamental aspects of his game remain. He doesn`t consistently take catch-and-shoot threes and lacks the off-ball movement and efficiency of players like Stephen Curry. If Young isn`t a high-usage player, his overall value diminishes.
However, his high usage might be limiting the development of younger players. While Daniels, Risacher, and Johnson aren`t primary creators yet, they possess untapped on-ball potential, especially Daniels, who was considered a point guard prospect. Trading Young could open up opportunities for these players to develop and determine if they can form a core for a competitive team. Distributing Young`s usage among a new guard and the existing wings could reveal their true potential and compatibility.
Ideal Team Fit for Young
Ironically, Young needs players with wing skills to maximize his own potential, specifically those who excel at three-point shooting rather than ball-handling. He also requires a strong rim-protecting center who can be a lob threat to capitalize on Young`s playmaking in the paint. He needs complementary scoring that fits within an offense controlled by his pick-and-roll game. In essence, he needs a very specific team composition.
Teams often accommodate star offensive players to some extent, as seen with players like James Harden and Luka Dončić. However, Young isn`t on their level offensively and presents greater defensive challenges due to his size. Building a team around Young requires a dedicated strategy, but the question remains whether building around Young is the optimal path to championship contention.
This may explain why teams typically linked to point guards might not be seriously interested in Young. Orlando, for example, prioritizes shooting to complement Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Houston has a similar focus. Devin Booker could be a suitable closer for the Rockets while still allowing Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson to run the offense. While Young might fit, it wouldn`t fully optimize his strengths. His need for ball dominance clashes with many other star players.
The Spurs were initially seen as a logical destination due to their control of Atlanta`s draft picks. They needed a point guard and the Hawks could have benefited from tanking. However, San Antonio opted for De`Aaron Fox. While Fox isn`t a great shooter, his experience with Domantas Sabonis demonstrates his ability to coexist with a ball-dominant big man.
Possible Destinations for Young
What will Young`s free agency market look like in 2026? Fortunately for him, many top free agent guards like Dončić and Fox have already signed extensions, placing Young higher on the list in a potentially cap-rich offseason. He is likely to receive max contract offers. Will a good team be interested? Could Miami consider him alongside Tyler Herro, despite defensive concerns? Or perhaps a large-market team looking to rebuild like the Nets, who could leverage their draft capital to build around him? Often, teams with cap space are rebuilding teams, but talent usually prevails. Someone will likely offer a significant contract, but the market might not be as enthusiastic as Young might hope.
MacMahon`s report indicated a lukewarm market for Young in the past. He isn`t a typical young All-Star who can dictate his destination. If he seeks to leave Atlanta, he might end up in a similarly imperfect situation.
Sacramento ironically emerges as a potential destination. The fit was previously discussed in February. Sabonis himself hinted at the need for a point guard after Sacramento`s play-in loss. Young would need to adapt his play style, as Sabonis isn`t a lob-catching center, and defense would remain a challenge. However, it would provide Young with an All-Star teammate for the first time. Whether he can adjust to such a teammate is uncertain. Zach LaVine might be a cleaner fit for the Hawks, offering better shooting and off-ball movement, though less playmaking, and could maintain their competitiveness while they manage their draft obligations to San Antonio.
If Phoenix seeks a point guard to pair with Booker, a three-team trade could be possible, sending Kevin Durant to his preferred team and assets to Atlanta. A Young-Booker pairing is more logical than it initially appears. Phoenix`s offensive weakness was shot-creation, while their strength was shot-making. Young excels at creating easy shots, and Booker excels at making difficult ones. With improved defense, they could become a respectable team, reminiscent of Booker`s successful partnership with Chris Paul.
However, a more desperate team, perhaps one facing playoff disappointment and lacking assets for a less risky player, might be more likely to pursue Young. Consider the Nuggets, who are cap-constrained and lack tradable first-round picks. They might be seeking significant roster changes.
Could they consider a Young-for-Jamal Murray trade? Initially, it seems detrimental for both teams. The Hawks would lose creation, while the Nuggets would worsen defensively and lose shooting. Murray also comes with a long, expensive contract and injury history.
However, Young could address Denver`s bench scoring issues. Lineups led by Young are typically offensively potent. Murray, in turn, could thrive in a role that balances scoring and facilitating for Atlanta`s wings, a role limited by Young`s ball-dominance. This type of trade is often driven by desperation. If Young requests a trade and the Nuggets exhaust other options, such a deal could become plausible.
This reflects the current situation for all parties. The Young-Atlanta partnership is increasingly strained, but a clean break is difficult for both sides. If either side hesitates, trade rumors will likely persist. However, if a truly appealing trade existed, it likely would have happened already.
Jasper Hawthorne