Six years into his NBA career, things have not gone according to plan for Hawks point guard Trae Young. With a history of failure in the playoffs (save for a lone Conference Finals run in 2021), Young has become an afterthought despite being one of the most naturally gifted players at his position. At just 26 years old, Trae has a long future ahead, but after the Hawks finished 10th in the standings this season (40-42), there are serious questions about how much longer he’ll remain with the team.
In a critical offseason that could see several major players move, Young was not projected to be a primary trade target, but that could change as the summer continues. Despite his flaws defensively, Young (a 4x All-Star) is a premium NBA point guard with elite skills as a playmaker, ball handler, and multi-faceted scorer with career averages of 25.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game on 41.1% shooting.
At this stage of his career, Trae raises the ceiling of any roster that he’s on, and he could be the final piece that takes a playoff team to the next level. Of course, with another two years and $94 million on his contract, he’s not exactly available right now, unless a team is willing to pay the price to trade for him. As it stands, several teams have emerged as a landing spot for Young, and whatever happens on that front will surely have massive implications for next year’s title race.
Orlando Magic Build A New Big Three
Proposed Trade Details
Orlando Magic Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr., Anthony Black, Jett Howard, 2026 First-Round pick swap, 2027 First-Round pick
The Orlando Magic have been teetering on the edge of contention for years now. Thanks to a solid drafting record, they’ve managed to build a promising young core in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. But without a true shot-maker in the backcourt, the Hawks have struggled to keep up with the competition. After another first-round exit this year, experts predict some massive changes to the roster, and giving up some of their own pieces for Trae Young might prove beneficial.
Since their current roster struggles to hit perimeter shots, Trae’s presence would provide an instant offensive boost as a career 35.2% shooter from deep. Most importantly, they’d have a star-studded trio to help them combat stacked teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and the Indiana Pacers. Together, Trae, Paolo, and Wagner could take the Magic further than they’ve been in 10+ years.
Miami Heat Find Their New Leading Star
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, 2026 First-Round pick
The Jimmy Butler fiasco left the Heat in complete dismay, and by the time the first round began, they had nothing left to challenge their opponents. With the locker room fractured and the team without a leader, Miami struggled to avoid embarrassment against the Cavs, and now they know that they’ll need a new alpha dog to lead them to success in the future.
Trae Young is the perfect choice for the role, and not just for his talent as a point guard. His fearless nature frequently drives him and his teammates to their best while setting a standard of excellence for the entire organization. Under the iconic ‘Heat culture,’ Young could thrive with the help of Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley. In exchange, the Hawks would get back a pick, a solid young star (Andrew Wiggins), and a pair of role-players to heighten their depth.
Nets Rise To Power With Blockbuster Deal
Proposed Trade Details
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: D’Angelo Russell (sign-and-trade), Cam Johnson, 2026 First-Round pick (via Rockets)
The Brooklyn Nets are still recovering from their collapse a few years ago, when they were forced to trade Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in a miserable season. The franchise has been in limbo ever since, making no traction on becoming a legitimate contender. With Young, the Nets would complete the first step of their rebuild: finding their next franchise face, and they’d be set up to compete for years in the West.
Young’s skills as a shooter and floor general would work nicely alongside Nic Claxton in the frontcourt, who is known for his versatility at center. Together, they could lead the Nets out of purgatory and give the fans a future to hope for again. A package of D’Angelo Russell, Cam Johnson, and a draft pick would not be easy to give up, but the Nets are growing increasingly desperate for their situation to change, and Young is one of the few stars they can afford on the trade market right now.
Sacramento Kings Start Fresh With Major Swap
Proposed Trade Details
Sacramento Kings Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Zach LaVine, 2026 First-Round pick, 2027 Second-Round pick (via Hornets)
The Sacramento Kings look like a team that’s lost their identity after firing their coach and trading their star guard (De’Aaron Fox) midway through the season. Coming off the 2024-25 campaign (where they finished ninth in the West), momentum has stalled for the franchise as they figure out their next move. While they are not officially on the market for Young, he’d be a great pickup for the Kings given their vacancy at the point guard position.
If Sacramento is able to keep DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, they could return to being a powerful force in the West, on par with some of the best offensive teams in the league. It may not be enough to get them into title contention, but it would surely be an upgrade for the Kings, who desperately need a fresh start after an underachieving season. In return, the Hawks would get Zach LaVine and two future picks, which they could either use to build up their team or trade for another win-now player.
With so many variables at play, it’s impossible to say what will happen in Atlanta this summer, and Trae Young’s future has never been so uncertain. As one of the top point guards in the NBA, his situation will be a major storyline this summer, and his move could very well impact the entire NBA title race next year.
