NBA Rumors: What’s Next for Hawks After Firing GM? All Eyes on Trae Young

The Atlanta Hawks have officially entered a pivotal NBA offseason, and it didn’t take long for the drama to start.

Just days after their season ended with a play-in tournament loss to the Miami Heat, the team fired general manager Landry Fields. Now, the spotlight shifts directly to franchise star Trae Young, whose future in Atlanta is suddenly clouded with even more uncertainty.

Fields’ dismissal adds another layer to an already intriguing Hawks offseason. While Atlanta didn’t make the playoffs, this was hardly a lost year. They got breakout seasons from several young players and proved they have a foundation worth building on — or reshaping, depending on what happens with Young.

Youth Movement Gaining Traction

Dyson Daniels fit like a glove next to Young in the backcourt and emerged as one of the NBA’s premier young defenders while taking big strides offensively. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher flashed serious upside and was among the league’s most impactful first-year players. Jalen Johnson looked like an All-Star before injuries derailed his year, and Onyeka Okongwu showed he’s ready to anchor the middle as the starting center.

If not for those injuries — Johnson, Larry Nance Jr., and Clint Capela all missing time down the stretch — Atlanta might’ve been a top-six seed in the East.

Biggest Question: Trae’s Future

And yet, it all circles back to Young.

Trade rumors have followed him for more than a year, and now, with Fields gone and a new front office vision incoming, the situation could evolve quickly. Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension through June 30 — or a five-year, $345 million supermax if he makes All-NBA. If no deal is reached, he could hit free agency in 2026 by declining his $49 million player option.

If the Hawks decide to move on and build around their rising young core, there would be no shortage of suitors.

Four Potential Landing Spots for Young

Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey recently outlined four possible destinations for Young, including:

• Orlando Magic: In need of scoring and playmaking to complement Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
• Brooklyn Nets: Cap flexibility and a desire to accelerate a rebuild could make them a dark horse.
• Phoenix Suns: A long shot, but major roster changes are expected after a disappointing season.
• San Antonio Spurs: Pairing Young with Victor Wembanyama is intriguing, though less likely after acquiring De’Aaron Fox.

Of the four, Orlando and Brooklyn seem like the most realistic options — especially if Atlanta decides to hit the reset button.

Hawks Have Decisions to Make

Atlanta could have two first-round picks in this year’s draft, and another influx of youth might make it harder to sell Young on the team’s timeline. The new CBA also complicates max deals, especially for teams trying to build depth under the second apron.

Still, in his exit interview, Young said he believes winning is still possible in Atlanta.

“Yeah, of course. We’re one of the 30 NBA teams and I feel like you can win here,” he said. “I’ve won before here — I haven’t won a championship, but I’ve achieved a lot of things here and I know what it takes. I definitely feel like I can win.”

That may be true. But whether the Hawks — and their new front office — agree is the question that now defines their offseason.