Recent discussions surrounding Trae Young’s future with the Atlanta Hawks have revealed that the star point guard may not be as highly coveted on the trade market as many would assume. According to NBA insiders, including Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Hawks would have likely traded Young if there had been significant interest from other teams. MacMahon, speaking on the ‘Hoop Collective’ podcast, stated:
“The simple fact of the matter is if there was a real market for Trae Young, he’d be somewhere else right now. It’s not like they got some kind of wild blockbuster return for Dejounte Murray.”
“There wasn’t a real market for Trae Young and he doesn’t necessarily need to re-establish a trade market for himself, but as extension talks are coming, I think he does have to re-establish his value.”
“But honestly, he’s in a bad situation in Atlanta because the Hawks are in a position where they should be entering what would hopefully be kind of a rapid rebuild, but they can’t because the Spurs have all their draft capital.”
“So they’re in this awkward situation where they should be unloading more pieces, but it’s just not something that you can’t bottom out to make the Spurs better.” (7:32)
This sentiment suggests that while Trae Young is undoubtedly a talented player, capable of putting up impressive numbers, the market for his services may not be as robust as expected.
Young, who averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game last season, is one of the league’s premier offensive talents. However, questions about his defensive capabilities and the overall fit within different team systems may have contributed to the lack of a strong trade market. Additionally, Young’s substantial contract, a five-year, $215 million extension signed in 2021, could be a factor that teams are wary of taking on.
Interestingly, MacMahon noted that teams like the San Antonio Spurs, who were in a position to make a significant trade, did not pursue Young despite having the resources to do so.
The Hawks’ decision to trade Dejounte Murray instead of Young further underscores the complexity of Young’s trade value. Murray, who was dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans, fetched a decent return, but it was far from the blockbuster deal that one might expect for a player of Young’s caliber. This decision points to the Hawks recognizing that Young’s market value might not align with his on-court production.
Moving forward, Young will need to reestablish his value, particularly with contract extension talks on the horizon. The upcoming season will be crucial for him to demonstrate that he can lead the Hawks to success or, at the very least, boost his trade stock for potential suitors. As it stands, Young remains a central figure in Atlanta, but his future with the franchise appears to be more uncertain than ever.
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