The Atlanta Hawks have done an incredible job of catering to their star Trae Young for the most part this offseason. Given the moves they have made to improve their roster strength, the Hawks have provided the point guard with significant support.
While the situation in Atlanta has been positive for the most part, things have taken a turn in recent weeks.
Since becoming eligible to sign his contract extension with the team, reports suggest there has been little movement in talks between the franchise and the player. Needless to say, this has raised some doubts regarding Young’s future.
In light of these concerns, Young’s offseason outlook has certainly become a lot more interesting. When considering that he was recently spotted training with Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr., speculation about a potential move to Brooklyn may be a possibility.
Brooklyn Nets Michael Porter Jr spotted training with Trae young. pic.twitter.com/Tarl36rtEy
— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) August 18, 2025
There have been rumors suggesting that the Hawks will hold off on offering Young an extension, something even the guard will be in favor of.
Having made some huge roster changes, the Hawks will need to see how well this team performs next season. This may also be considered a test presented to the four-time All-Star to gauge whether he can successfully lead this squad to a championship.
Similarly, this is also an opportunity for Young to understand this team’s potential. When considering that he has a player option for the 2026-27 season, he could opt out of his contract and test free agency if the team’s outlook isn’t aligning with his own.
In such a scenario, the Brooklyn Nets have been presented as an ideal landing spot for Young in the future. Given Brooklyn’s current situation, a midseason trade would also not be out of the question, especially if the Hawks guard isn’t performing at the level Atlanta expects him to.
A potential trade would likely feature pieces such as Cam Thomas, Terance Mann, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Ziaire Williams, along with draft capital. While this could be viewed negatively, the Nets have displayed a penchant for investing in star power.
The notion of pairing Young with players such as Porter Jr. and Claxton has a lot of merit.
The Hawks guard is one of the most gifted playmakers in the league. As the NBA’s assist leader last season, the 26-year-old put his skills on display, putting up an average of 24.2 points and 11.6 assists per game, while shooting 41.4% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range.
Young’s ability to bring the best out of shooters and big men is noteworthy. When paired with Porter Jr., who is expected to become the Nets’ focal point on offense next season, the four-time All-Star could easily elevate the forward to a new level.
Parting ways with players such as Thomas and Sharpe may lead to some depth issues on the roster, but it may give the Nets an opportunity to restructure their team differently.
Young’s arrival could set off a potential series of events leading to more stars joining the Nets. When considering the size of Brooklyn’s market, it is undoubtedly an attractive destination for star-caliber talent.
It is important to note that this transformation would take time. By revisiting their roadmap for the future, the Nets could find themselves on the path towards becoming a competitive unit with Young at the center of it all.
A trade scenario is purely hypothetical, but it may also not be the ideal move for either team. The likelihood of Young leaving Atlanta as a free agent next summer is greater than his being traded. In this regard, both franchises may benefit from exercising some patience.
There are too many variables at play to ascertain what Young’s position with the Hawks is at the moment. Should his brilliance culminate in success for Atlanta, it would only solidify his place as the team’s central figure.
