Hawks Not Holding Trade Talks On Trae Young, Expected To Keep Him

July 9, 2024

It’s true that the Atlanta Hawks have received some trade calls from other NBA teams on Trae Young. They may have even made some.

But the overriding sentiment around the league is that Atlanta intends to hold onto Young and continue to build around the star guard and face of the franchise, sources told Hoops Wire.

Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reported that he has heard the same.

“After trading Dejounte Murray, the Hawks are expected to keep Trae Young alongside new first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher,” Seigel wrote. “Atlanta has not held extensive trade talks with any team involving Young this offseason due to the organization’s belief in their All-Star point guard.”

As I said during an appearance on Bleav in Hawks with Brice Lewis, the Hawks may be relying on internal growth via Rissacher, rising forward Jalen Johnson and others. Young remains the type of player around whom you build. So it really wouldn’t make sense to ship him off.

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% on 3-pointers and 85.5% from the free-throw line. He recorded 37 double-doubles in 54 games.

He signed a five-year, $215 million extension with the Hawks in August 2021 — and is due to 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.

As an aside, Zach Lowe of ESPN said the market for Young isn’t exactly at a high point at the moment, anyway.