Lakers To Aggressively Pursue Hawks’ Trae Young In Summer

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers view Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young as a third star who can help them push for a championship alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Young, LeBron and Davis have the same agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group.

A source told Hoops Wire that the Lakers will aggressively pursue a Young trade this summer. 

The Lakers view Trae Young as a third star who can help push for a championship now, but also bridge the gap to the future for a new era alongside Anthony Davis, per @jovanbuha (https://t.co/flyVQU3Z4w).

Young, who is also represented by Klutch Sports, is likely going to be Los… pic.twitter.com/DxekcuxFJv

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 15, 2024

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 is averaging 26.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 10.9 assists this season while shooting 42.7% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line. He has 35 double-doubles in 50 games.

Young doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. The three-time All-Star holds career averages of 25.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 9.5 assists. He’s one of the best point guards in the NBA. 

Many people around the NBA believe Young could be traded by the Hawks this summer instead of Dejounte Murray, who is also represented by Paul. According to Howard Beck of The Ringer, the Hawks discussed a Young trade with the San Antonio Spurs before the NBA trade deadline this year. 

“I think they would love to trade Trae,” a Western Conference exec said of the Hawks, via Beck.

Along with Young, the Lakers have been linked to Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. LAL didn’t make any trades at this year’s deadline because the front office wanted to save its assets for a blockbuster summer trade. 

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option. The King is averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season. He’s still an elite player despite being the oldest guy in the NBA.