In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Trae Young with the fifth overall pick. A draft night trade with the Hawks sent Young to Atlanta, where he has remained ever since. The 25-year-old completed his sixth season with the Hawks, helping them reach the playoffs three times.
Only one of those series has been extended beyond the first round, and that hasn’t happened in Atlanta since 2020-21. Rumors are circulating about Trae Young’s future. Sources have linked Young to a trade target this offseason, with the No. 1 team mentioned being the Lakers. Will the three-time All-Star remain with the Hawks through the 2024-25 season, or will he play in a different uniform?
Is Trae Young considering leaving the Atlanta Hawks this offseason?
.@TheTraeYoung Accept your future honestly
via From the Point by Trae Young pic.twitter.com/851uk9OGVy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2024
In his exit interview with the Hawks following the 2023-24 season, Trae Young didn’t hesitate to tell his truth. Young said he wants to be in Atlanta, but he also wants to win. He left open the possibility of a trade this offseason. In Young’s six seasons with the Hawks, their best record is 41 wins and 31 losses. There were 72 games in the 2020-21 season, which was shortened due to the pandemic. In four of his six seasons with the Hawks, the team had a record below .500 in four of those years. Is it time for a fresh start for Trae Young?
Trae Young’s 54 games played in 2023-24 is a career low. However, he was 22-32 in games in which he was available. Atlanta went 14-14 in the 28 games he missed. Young averaged (25.7) points, (2.8) rebounds, career highs (10.8) assists and (1.3) steals per game. This earned him his third All-Star selection in his six professional seasons. Young said he wants to win right now in his career. If Atlanta doesn’t have the same vision, expect Young to move on. He’s been around for six seasons, but it seems like it’s time for Trae Young to part ways with the Hawks.
On Trae Young’s future:
“Obviously I want to be in Atlanta, but… At the same time, I want to win. “I don’t think there’s much time to waste.”
(Through @fromthepointTY) pic.twitter.com/oUjpsomIDy
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 1, 2024
Atlanta’s All-Star PG still has two seasons remaining on the five-year, $215 million contract he signed. Additionally, Young also has an option to end the 2026-27 season early if he still remains with the Hawks. The NBA playoffs are still ongoing and no deals are happening at this time. I guess we’ll have to wait a while until we actually know what Trae Young plans to do. Will he remain loyal to the Hawks, or will he break away from them and find a new home?