Report: Lakers Unlikely To Acquire Trae Young From Hawks

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to acquire Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks. 

The Hawks traded Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers were more interested in acquiring Murray, sources told Hoops Wire. 

“Trae Young, as I’ve previously reported, is less likely to end up with the Lakers in part due to his switch from Klutch Sports to CAA,” Buha said on his podcast. 

One of the top scorers and passers in the NBA, Young averaged 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.2 blocks in 2023-24 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 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.

Young, who turns 26 in September, 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. 

Young left Klutch Sports Group for CAA. Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are with Klutch Sports Group. 

Los Angeles hired former NBA guard JJ Redick as its new head coach.

According to Shams Charania, Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick is focused on elevating Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron’s workload.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

“He explained his decision-making process when it comes to strategy, how the analysis and empirical evidence would always guide his choices rather than preconceived notions or outdated beliefs,” Charania, Buha and Amick wrote. “Redick described a system molded around this roster, focusing on elevating Davis’ involvement, particularly late in games, and alleviating the constant ballhandling duties on James by utilizing him more off the ball. Keeping James, who turns 40 in December, fresh down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs will be critical.”