NBA Trade Rumors: With recent developments, we explore five teams that should make a huge offer to the Atlanta Hawks for Trae Young.
It seems as if ever since the Atlanta Hawks made an unlikely run to the Eastern Conference Finals a couple of seasons ago, it’s all been downhill since. Last season, the Hawks backed into the playoffs and were embarrassed at the hands of the Miami Heat in the first round.
The Hawks made a big offseason splash in the way of acquiring Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. However, they haven’t been that much better this season. The Hawks are currently 16-16 and sitting in 8th in the Eastern Conference standings.
The noise around this team has suddenly risen, so much so that there is a belief around the league that Trae Young could be the next star to demand a trade.
Would the Atlanta Hawks listen to Trae Young trade offers?
Let’s be clear, it doesn’t appear that a trade demand has been made by Young or that one is imminent. However, as there continues to be confusion and chaos surrounding the Hawks, it would be interesting to see if they would be open to listening to Trae Young trade offers.
In a (possibly) hypothetical world in which they would be, let’s explore five teams that should be willing to make big offers for the young all-star guard.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are a team that, themselves, is having to deal with its own drama. They, too, have gotten off to a bad start to the season (an even worse one) and are also having some identity issues of their own. I’m not sure what awaits the Bulls over the next few weeks, but there’s no question that this is a team that could be in for some retooling at some point soon.
If that is indeed the case, they will likely have the necessary assets to go after a player like Young. Would the Bulls and Hawks be willing to trade “one problem” for another? A Zach LaVine for Trae Young would likely help the Hawks more than the Bulls but it could accomplish what both teams are looking for – change.
You can make the case that the Hawks would have a more well-balanced roster with Dejounte Murray, LaVine, and whichever big they retain. The Bulls would have more work to do but starting a new build around an established star in Young would help alleviate the first big step for Chicago.
If Chicago is open to retooling, they should absolutely be willing to go all-in for a player like Young.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are another team that should be willing to go all-in for Trae Young. And they have a good history with the Atlanta Hawks after they closed a deal for Dejounte Murray during the offseason.
Even though it would be somewhat unlikely for these two teams to pursue another blockbuster deal, Young is exactly the type of established San Antonio should be seeking on the trade market.
The Spurs have plenty of picks (thanks in part to the Hawks) and a couple of interesting young pieces that could make for an interesting offer. Plus, if there’s one coach and organization that could get the most out of Young and his talent, it’s Gregg Popovich and the Spurs.
Again, I’m not sure how likely a deal would be between these two teams but the Spurs should be in the running for any disgruntled star that hits the trade block.
Washington Wizards
Over the last few years, the Washington Wizards have tried hard to surround Bradley Beal with a competent supporting cast. For one reason or another, the front office has failed to do so. And with signs pointing to the possible departure of Kyle Kuzma during the offseason, the Wizards should be scouring the trade market for another big name.
I’m not sure how they would handle it on the defensive end, but a backcourt duo of Trae Young and Beal would, at the very least, be interesting from an offensive perspective. Young would also be the best player that Beal has played with since John Wall was decimated by injury.
If the Hawks are open to listening to trade offers, the Wizards should be willing to throw the kitchen sink in an attempt to get in the Trae Young sweepstakes. Do they have the most assets to get a deal done? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do everything they can to try and pull something off.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a team that always seems to be scouring the trade market. And this season wil be no different. In fact, you can make the case that the Mavs should be trying extra hard to get in on the pursuit for any star. Luka Doncic desperatley needs to find a new “robin” after Jalen Brunson left and Trae Young would be a really good talent.
The question is, would he be a good fit? That, we don’t know. Luka struggles on the offensive end and so does Young, so I’m not sure how that dynamic would work. However, offenively, they’d be one of the biggest offensive forces in the league.
The saying in the NBA often is, you get the talent and worry about the rest later. That’s exactly what the Mavs would be doing here. After making a run to the Western Conference Finals last season, it’s clear that the Mavs have taken somewhat of a step back. Going all-in for a star is exactly the move they should be eyeing ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
Perhaps Trae Young could be a pipe dream possibility?
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers should be interested in any big name that hits the trade market. In an attempt to hep extend the champsionship windows of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Trae Young would be an interesting addition to this team. I don’t think there are any questions that the Lakers would be intersted in a potential deal, but would the Hawks?
For the Hawks to part ways with Young it’s already going to take a huge offer. The question is, would the Lakers theoretically have enough to get a deal done? They don’t have a ton of young assets and, as least for now, could only trade two future first-round draft picks. I suppose they could include some draft pick swaps.
In theory, Young on this team would be extremely interesting. It would be a great team in NBA 2K. But, at least from an outside perspective, it seems to be a tall task to get done from a Los Angeles point of view. Either way, the Lakers should be open to making their version of a grandfather offer.