Proposed Blockbuster Trade Sends Trae Young To Pelicans, CJ McCollum To Hawks

One NBA writer has proposed that the Atlanta Hawks trade Trae Young to the New Orleans Pelicans for CJ McCollum. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report thinks Young can help the Pelicans become a contender. 

“If dropped into McCollum’s place, Young would give New Orleans more off-the-dribble pep and a huge step forward in passing,” Buckley wrote. “Defense could be an issue for that trio, but it already is for the Williamson-Ingram-McCollum troika, so maybe that wouldn’t be a deal-breaker.

“This trade would come down to cost, and it’s hard to say what would constitute fair value since Young is simultaneously a huge offensive asset and a glaring liability on defense. McCollum would obviously have to be involved, but would him, Dyson Daniels and a first-round pick be enough for both sides?

“That feels fair, as it would give Atlanta pieces for both the present and future.”

According to NBA insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the Hawks are expected to trade Young this summer. 

Young signed a five-year, $215 million extension with the Hawks in August 2021. He’ll make $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26.

One of the best scorers and passers in the NBA, Young averaged 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists this season while shooting 43.0% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc and 85.5% from the free-throw line. He recorded 37 double-doubles in 54 games. 

Young, 25, holds career averages of 25.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

McCollum averaged 20.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the Pelicans this season while shooting 45.9% from the field, 42.9% from beyond the arc and 82.7% from the free-throw line. He will make $33.3 million next season. 

McCollum, 32, has career averages of 19.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists with the Portland Trail Blazers and Pelicans. 

The Hawks didn’t make the playoffs this year, while the Pelicans are playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.