Trade Proposal Sends Trae Young To Magic, Markelle Fultz And Wendell Carter Jr. To Hawks

One NBA analyst proposed that the Orlando Magic acquire Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Magic and Hawks:

Orlando Magic receive: Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks receive: Markelle Fultz (sign-and-trade), Wendell Carter Jr., Jett Howard, 2025 first-round pick and 2026 first-round pick swap

“While the Hawks have already traded away Dejounte Murray, they could still consider moving Young, too,” Buckley wrote in his NBA trade article. “Sending him out would ease the pressure on No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, and it could also free the front office to flip their remaining assets for rebuilding tools. Granted, a total reset wouldn’t be as beneficial as normal since San Antonio controls Atlanta’s next three drafts, but the Hawks might still see the value of stockpiling assets sooner than later.

“The Magic might be glad to assist with that. Their 22nd-ranked offense was the least efficient of all postseason participants this season—play-in teams included. Newcomers Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Tristan da Silva add plenty to Orlando’s equation, but volume scoring isn’t a strength for either one.

“Young, on the other hand, hasn’t averaged fewer than 25 points since his rookie season. He hasn’t averaged fewer than double-digit assists in two seasons, either. And he’s tallied better than three triples per outing in three of the previous five campaigns. He has basically been a walking top-10 offense throughout his career, and if he could have that kind of impact on a team with a defense as dominant as the Magic’s, this could be the league’s next stealth contender.

“The Hawks won’t get a fortune for Young. His offensive volume is incredible, but his defense is disastrous, and his contract is enormous. So, walking away with two rotation players in Fultz and Carter, a recent lottery pick in Howard, an unprotected first-round pick and an unprotected first-round pick swap would be a decent haul.”

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.