NBA Notes: Hawks, Trae Young, free agency, Matt Young

Hawks

The Hawks’ decision to trade Trae Young during his prime without receiving draft compensation continues to resonate around the league.

Yossi Gozlan of ThirdApron.com examined the deal as part of a broader look at how the trade market has cooled under the current CBA.

With teams increasingly protective of draft picks and flexibility, Gozlan suggests similar situations could shape future conversations, including whether the Grizzlies would face a similarly muted market if they explored a move involving Ja Morant.

The takeaway is simple. Value is no longer dictated by talent alone. Contract structure, apron restrictions and long-term flexibility now carry equal weight.

Free Agency

Restricted free agency proved unforgiving last offseason.

In a discussion for The Athletic, Joel Lorenzi, Tony Jones and Nick Friedell examined how players such as Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas and Quentin Grimes were impacted.

Potential suitors were reluctant to tie up cap space with offer sheets, wary of being boxed in by the new CBA. The result was fewer aggressive bids and less leverage for RFAs looking to cash in.

International

Former NBA guard Matt Thomas has signed with Besiktas GAIN Istanbul for the remainder of the EuroLeague season, according to Eurohoops.net.

Thomas, 31, previously played for Spain’s Coviran Granada, averaging 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He appeared in 126 NBA games from 2019 to 2022, spending time with the Raptors, Jazz and Bulls.