Is Trae Young on the way out?

[Jamaaliver]

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[tbhawksfan1]

Hope they add instead of trading the best player
Need a vet big and a couple lateral moves possibly (Mann, Niang, FA)
Draft well and try for 50 wins next season
If they can extend Trae on a reasonable deal, he would be just as tradable if not more.

[Jamaaliver]

The case to keep Trae...for now.

Why trading Trae Young still isn't the right move for the Hawks

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For a long while, the summer of 2025 has been a natural point of evaluation for the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young. The lead reason is that Young has only one guaranteed year (plus a player option) left on his contract, and he is eligible for a lucrative contract extension in Atlanta.

The nuts and bolts

Spoiler:

Beginning on July 1, Trae Young is eligible for a contract extension worth up to four years and more than $220 million. Those numbers could rise if Young earns All-NBA honors...Crucially, the Hawks do not have to extend Young, even if they want him to stay. Atlanta could instead choose to let Young near free agency without a new deal, understanding that no team could pay him more next summer than the Hawks, and Atlanta maintains his Bird Rights. However, that is a risky proposition, and it is a central tenet of why this summer feels like such a pivot point for all sides.

Is Trae Young a "max player?"

Spoiler:

The simple answer to the question above is yes, though one could include the caveat of "for now." It is a legitimate question whether Young would still be playing at a max, or at least a near-max, level by the end of a four-year extension that would take him through his age-31 season. It helps that Young is arguably the best passer in the world, but he remains a (very) small player in today's NBA, and the history of small guards aging into their 30s is mixed at best. For every Chris Paul, there are multiple instances of the cliff coming relatively early, even if Young could likely weather that more than most with his passing and craft.

As far as his current level of play, Young certainly earned his max-level salary for 2024-25, with no reason to think he won't again in 2025-26. He comfortably led the NBA in assists, averaging 11.6 per game, and Young produced 880 assists, the second-most by any NBA player in a season since 2009-10. He also lapped the field in more advanced numbers like potential assists and points created through assists, even with a Hawks roster surrounding him that no one would mistake as an elite unit when it comes to spacing or shot-making.

Defensively, Young is quite limited, and that will always be the case. It is notable, however, that he has taken a step (or two) toward competence on that end of the floor, using his quick hands as a disruptive force and leaning on his guile to scram out of unfavorable situations. Also, the Hawks showed competence on the defensive end of the floor for large portions of the season, producing a league-average defense until Jalen Johnson went down and finishing in the top 20 even with an injury barrage removing any functional frontcourt depth.

Can the Hawks win big with Trae Young?

Spoiler:

The answer is yes, but the follow-up is "how big?" and it is a reasonable question. Young already captained an Eastern Conference Finals team. It was only the second appearance for the franchise in the ECF since moving to Atlanta, and the Hawks won a couple of games in that series, moving closer to a title than any team in Atlanta Hawks history. Was that team at a true "Conference Finalist" level? Perhaps not, but Young was brilliant on the playoff stage, and the roster was well-crafted around him.

Fast-forward to now and, while Young did not score on the same level in 2024-25 as he did in 2020-21, his passing and defense helped to bridge that gap. As an organization, Atlanta openly admitted to the 2024-25 season being a "retooling" effort, one that eventually led to a front office change with Landry Fields relieved of his duties in April. Still, a bit of context would point to the Hawks having a very interesting young core that consists of Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and of course, Trae Young. Young is the oldest of that crowd at 26, but he is also firmly in his prime and not so far removed from the others that a timetable reset is needed.

It is more than fair to wonder what a team's ceiling is with Trae Young as the undisputed best player on the roster, but if he is flanked by several quality pieces, a roster that could perennially project as a home-court advantage team in the Eastern Conference seems reasonable. If the Hawks took a bigger swing to add at least an equivalent talent to Young, or perhaps if Johnson or Risacher took a large leap, the ceiling could be even higher.

The young core makes a lot more sense with Trae Young in it

Spoiler:

A crucial, and sometimes overlooked point, about Atlanta's attractive young nucleus is that the reality of each player points to the likelihood of "supporting" status, at least to some degree. Jalen Johnson was one of four players in the NBA to averaging at least 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists this season, but he probably isn't the No. 1 engine of a quality NBA offense. Zaccharie Risacher put together a strong rookie campaign, but few are projecting him as a clear No. 1, more likely pointing to the kind of two-way forward that every team wants with shooting, secondary scoring, size, and defense. The same can be said for Daniels, who is a defense-first ace, and Okongwu.

That's where Young comes in. While one could argue that it doesn't have to be Young specifically, the Hawks absolutely need a lead initiator to make the rest of the pieces sing. Simply put, they are already have one, and it would be a lot more difficult to trade Young and then acquire another one, rather than just keeping him and letting the pieces develop.

So ... what do the Hawks do?

Spoiler:

The overall takeaway after surveying the situation is that Young is more valuable to the Hawks than he would be as a trade piece. Some of that is the functionality of the young core. Some of that is Young being very, very good at basketball. Some of that is also the reality that he doesn't seem to have an overwhelming trade market. Some of that is even that Atlanta's ownership group, led by Tony Ressler, seems eager to win now in a way that would be far more challenging if Young was shipped out.

Only a few teams in the NBA can have a true top-five player that every organization salivates over because they know the vast majority of title-winning teams have them. Trae Young isn't the player and, if you don't have that player, you want that player. However, the Hawks don't have control of their own draft for a couple more years, they already have an interesting young core in place, and Young is uniquely positioned, both as a distributor and an overall initiator, to augment what is around him in Atlanta.

Let the extension negotiations begin.

Fansided

[Jamaaliver]

The case to move on from Trae.

This takes us to the most important decision facing the new boss in Atlanta: Young. He has one year left on his deal and then can become a free agent, with a player option for $49 million in 2026-27. He’s a valuable player and led the league in assists. Atlanta’s offense still turns to dust when he’s off the floor (a meager 105.2 offensive rating in the non-Young minutes).

But he’s not a top-15 player in the league, so is he good enough to be the centerpiece of a contending team? Or is he just the kind of player who offers a floor of 36 wins and a ceiling of 42? Young also seemed to lose a step this season, which resulted in him struggling to beat defenders in isolation. Perhaps that can be blamed on Achilles issues that plagued him all season. However, he’s a 6-foot-1, speed-dependent guard whom they’d be paying into his late 20s on an extension, and the league legislated away some of his best tricks.

Is that worth going out multiple years on a max extension? Or is it time to cut bait, recoup some value and build around the other young guys in Atlanta, even if the Hawks don’t control their picks?

Chatter has picked up that the Hawks might choose the latter course. However, it takes two to tango in any trade. The confounding issue in any Young scenario is that the market for him doesn’t seem to be all that hot. Indeed, that perhaps explains why it was Murray and not Young who was sent to the Pelicans in the 2024 offseason.

The Athletic

[atlantabbq99]

I thought Trae could be the next AI, but just another CP3 or Lillard. Good but not good enough to be a #1, like CP3, he needs an elite forward teammate to make a run.

Trae is still a good play but still not worth trading him unless Sabonis is on the table.

[HMFFL]

Since Trae Young has never played with an All-Star. Which one of these former All-Stars interest you?


Russell Westbrook 9x (Player Option)
Pau George 9x
Al Horford 5x (Free Agent)
Bradley Beal 3x
Julius Randle 3x (Player Option)
Ben Simmons 3x (Free Agent)
Jrue Holiday 2x
Kristaps Porzingis 1x
Brook Lopez 1x (Free Agent)
Lauri Markkanen 1x



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[Jamaaliver]

Since Trae Young has never played with an All-Star. Which one of these former All-Stars interest you?

Spoiler:

Russell Westbrook 9x (Player Option)
Pau George 9x
Al Horford 5x (Free Agent)
Bradley Beal 3x
Julius Randle 3x (Player Option)
Ben Simmons 3x (Free Agent)
Jrue Holiday 2x
Kristaps Porzingis 1x
Brook Lopez 1x (Free Agent)
Lauri Markkanen 1x

In order:

• Lauri Markkanen - fits the roster, team needs and timeline
• Jrue Holiday -consummate leader, fits team need for a third reliable guard
• Brook Lopez - fits a need for experienced, backup, floor-spacing Center
• Brad Beal - the second scorer on the perimeter we've long needed, Suns would likely give him away (is he willing to come off the bench in Atlanta?)

[jayu70]

Since Trae Young has never played with an All-Star. Which one of these former All-Stars interest you?

Spoiler:

Russell Westbrook 9x (Player Option)
Pau George 9x
Al Horford 5x (Free Agent)
Bradley Beal 3x
Julius Randle 3x (Player Option)
Ben Simmons 3x (Free Agent)
Jrue Holiday 2x
Kristaps Porzingis 1x
Brook Lopez 1x (Free Agent)
Lauri Markkanen 1x

In order:

• Lauri Markkanen - fits the roster, team needs and timeline
• Jrue Holiday -consummate leader, fits team need for a third reliable guard
• Brook Lopez - fits a need for experienced, backup, floor-spacing Center
• Brad Beal - the second scorer on the perimeter we've long needed, Suns would likely give him away (is he willing to come off the bench in Atlanta?)

Regarding the 'Allstar' - it's not about a player who's been an allstar, we had one in Murray. For me it's about a player that's on the Hawks making it as an allstar while playing with Trae. So only Lauri fits that criteria as a player having a chance to be an allstar alongside Trae in the same season.

[Jamaaliver]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

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[HMFFL]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

Read on Twitter

Beal on a team friendly salary becomes more appealing to most teams. Are you wanting Beal to come off our bench?

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[atlantabbq99]

Trae doesn't need an all star, he needs a first team all nba guy like prime Blake Griffin or LMA. Like what CP3 had.

Zac will become a Rip Hamilton level type of player, but looking at his rookie numbers, their is also a possibility he could become another Jayson Tatum level type of player.

[HMFFL]

Trae doesn't need an all star, he needs a first team all nba guy like prime Blake Griffin or LMA. Like what CP3 had.

Zac will become a Rip Hamilton level type of player, but looking at his rookie numbers, their is also a possibility he could become another Jayson Tatum level type of player.

I have Zacch as a Jayson Tatum level talent.

I do agree with you about Trae needing a firdt team all NBA player in their prime.

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[Jamaaliver]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

Beal on a team friendly salary becomes more appealing to most teams. Are you wanting Beal to come off our bench?

If Beal is willing to come off the bench, he solves a lot of our offensive/playmaking/end of game issues.

If he insists on starting,

Trae
Beal
Dyson
Jalen
Okongwu

is an interesting but flawed starting 5.

[jayu70]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

Beal on a team friendly salary becomes more appealing to most teams. Are you wanting Beal to come off our bench?

If Beal is willing to come off the bench, he solves a lot of our offensive/playmaking/end of game issues.

If he insists on starting,

Trae
Beal
Dyson
Jalen
Okongwu

is an interesting but flawed starting 5.

Another injury prone player but also now our highest paid player at $53 and $57 million???
I don't get it.

[jayu70]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

Read on Twitter

I still don't get the Hawks interest in this deal? Can you explain it?
I'm guessing it would have been some combination of CC, Hunter, Bogi to make the salaries work. But I still don't understand the Hawks interest when Beal has 2 years left.

[HMFFL]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

Beal on a team friendly salary becomes more appealing to most teams. Are you wanting Beal to come off our bench?

If Beal is willing to come off the bench, he solves a lot of our offensive/playmaking/end of game issues.

If he insists on starting,

Trae
Beal
Dyson
Jalen
Okongwu

is an interesting but flawed starting 5.

After giving it some thought Beal is a no for me. He doesn't make sense as a starter and I don't see any positives. Primarily because I doubt Beal will agree to a limited role.

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[Jamaaliver]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

I still don't get the Hawks interest in this deal? Can you explain it?

Another injury prone player but also now our highest paid player at $53 and $57 million??? I don't get it.

I'm guessing it would have been some combination of CC, Hunter, Bogi to make the salaries work. But I still don't understand the Hawks interest when Beal has 2 years left.

It was a calculated gamble. Buying low on an All Star caliber player with something to prove.

And possibly getting a young prospect thrown in for our trouble.

And it's really only for a season. 12 months from now he's just a fat expiring contract...


NOTE: Had Beal been on our team this spring instead of Mann, Niang and Levert - I believe we win 42+ games, win the division and easily win the Play-In.

He wouldn't make us a contender. But he'd be a difference maker for a young team in desperate need of some scoring punch.

[jayu70]

^I do think Beal would functionally work here, too -- as the off ball scorer we've needed in the back court for years.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

I still don't get the Hawks interest in this deal? Can you explain it?

Another injury prone player but also now our highest paid player at $53 and $57 million??? I don't get it.

I'm guessing it would have been some combination of CC, Hunter, Bogi to make the salaries work. But I still don't understand the Hawks interest when Beal has 2 years left.

It was a calculated gamble. Buying low on an All Star caliber player with something to prove.

And possibly getting a young prospect thrown in for our trouble.

And it's really only for a season. 12 months from now he's just a fat expiring contract...


NOTE: Had Beal been on our team this spring instead of Mann, Niang and Levert - I believe we win 42+ games, win the division and easily win the Play-In.

He wouldn't make us a contender. But he'd be a difference maker for a young team in desperate need of some scoring punch.

I disagree strongly.
Beal played in only 16 games AFTER the trade deadline.
26, 28, 30 were the games played by Levert, Niang and Mann. That's a lot of games missed to make up for the 3 for 1 player.
This also means more time for Garrison, probably Roddy who would still be here, it would make us an even smaller team with only MoG at PF.

[Jamaaliver]

I disagree strongly.

Beal played in only 16 games AFTER the trade deadline.
26, 28, 30 were the games played by Levert, Niang and Mann. That's a lot of games missed to make up for the 3 for 1 player.
This also means more time for Garrison, probably Roddy who would still be here, it would make us an even smaller team with only MoG at PF.

You asked the question, bro.

Hawks kicked the tires on a beat up All Star SG.

Not the craziest idea for a team lacking in scoring, shooting, playmaking.

[jayu70]

I disagree strongly.

Beal played in only 16 games AFTER the trade deadline.
26, 28, 30 were the games played by Levert, Niang and Mann. That's a lot of games missed to make up for the 3 for 1 player.
This also means more time for Garrison, probably Roddy who would still be here, it would make us an even smaller team with only MoG at PF.

You asked the question, bro.

Hawks kicked the tires on a beat up All Star SG.

Not the craziest idea for a team lacking in scoring, shooting, playmaking.

I think it more than likely went something like this:
Hawks called about Durant, Suns said what about Beal? Hawks say....mmmm what assets you giving us to take his albatross, Suns say 5 seconds, Hawks say no and ask for Dunn, Oso and 2 1sts. Suns say no. Hawks say cool and bye.
It's then reported Hawks interested in Beal. This is more likely than the Hawks calling to inquire about Beal.