The Atlanta Hawks’ 2021 Eastern Conference finals run was viewed as fortunate, relying on favorable matchups rather than talent. Post-2021, they faced disappointments, such as early playoff exits and missed opportunities, culminating in a 2024 play-in loss. Trae Young’s future in Atlanta is uncertain, with indications that both player and team might seek a split, especially since Young becomes a free agent in 2026. While Young’s unique skills are undeniable, doubts remain about whether he can elevate the Hawks or if his ball-dominant style hampers the team’s growth. Potential trades loomed, but the market for Young seems limited.
While Atlanta’s journey to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals felt somewhat tenuous at the time, it was marked by the New York Knicks’ unusual status as a No. 4 seed lacking shot-creation options outside of Julius Randle. The Hawks seemed more like a bystander to the Philadelphia 76ers’ collapse than a driving force behind it. Unfortunately, when they faced a more formidable opponent in Milwaukee, they were eliminated in six games. Since that favorable run in 2021, they’ve found themselves stagnating in a mediocre Eastern Conference.
The Hawks faced a gentleman’s sweep at the hands of the Heat in 2022. They reacted by trading for Dejounte Murray, yet this high-stakes move led to the same result: a first-round exit against the Boston Celtics in 2023. In 2024, they failed to make the first round entirely, losing a play-in game to the Chicago Bulls, which once again exposed Trae Young’s defensive shortcomings. The struggles of the 2025 play-in encapsulated the frustrations surrounding Young.
Young was ejected in the first play-in game against Orlando and was largely absent in the first half of the second game, but the issue wasn’t solely his responsibility. Miami crafted its entire strategy to neutralize him, a challenge Young is all too familiar with. While Nikola Jokić is the most recognized member of the “no All-Star teammate” club, Young is a member too, having played alongside a mix of young talents and role players throughout his career. Nevertheless, he exhibited moments of brilliance in the second half, pushing the Hawks into overtime, but they ultimately couldn’t prevail against the Heat.
Overall, the partnership has not proven particularly successful for either side. Young has managed just two playoff series victories in seven seasons with the Hawks, and his teams have never exceeded four games above .500. Neither side appears to have been particularly content with this arrangement.
As reported by Chris Haynes, Young’s future in Atlanta was uncertain as the trade deadline approached, highlighting his competitive nature and desire to win. The Hawks likely share this desire and have reportedly contemplated trading Young in pursuit of victory.
“The simple fact of the matter is if there was a real market for Trae Young, he’d be somewhere else right now,” said ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on the Hoop Collective podcast in August.
Instead, the Hawks chose to trade for Murray, aiming for improvement this season with Young as the sole point guard in the starting lineup. Clearly, that strategy did not pan out as hoped.
Both parties have appeared to dance around the issue, yet no decisive action has been taken. This impasse must resolve soon. Young can become a free agent in 2026; if the Hawks wish to move on, they must trade him to avoid losing him for nothing. If Young is not inclined to stay, he will reject any contract extension offered. It is entirely plausible that both the player and the team are ready for a change, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee a better situation elsewhere.
Potential with Hawks
Young ranks among the elite shot creators in the NBA, suggesting that there is potential for the Hawks to develop alongside him and the younger talent surrounding him. Atlanta outperformed opponents by over six points per 100 possessions with Young and Jalen Johnson on the court this season, according to Cleaning the Glass. With Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels still on rookie contracts, both are likely to improve. The Hawks have a surplus of wing players. While trading De’Andre Hunter in a cap-clearing deal might not have been ideal, they still have valuable pieces in their young core that show promise.
The real inquiry, however, is whether Young’s presence facilitates that growth. The Hawks boast a plethora of versatile wings, an up-and-coming center in Onyeka Okongwu, and Daniels, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Yet, they found themselves ranked 18th in defense. Young’s defensive issues are likely a significant factor here. When he was on the bench, the Hawks allowed just 108.9 points per 100 possessions this season, with only the Thunder having a better record throughout the full season.
On the offensive side, the situation is more complex. Young’s presence simplifies life for his teammates. He has led the league in assist rate for three of the past four seasons and is not dominating the ball as much as in years past. His usage rate of 29.6% this season is the lowest since his rookie year. Progress is being made towards a more collaborative style — less aimless dribbling, more ball screens — but old habits persist. Young has never shot catch-and-shoot 3s at the required frequency, and despite early career comparisons to Stephen Curry, he has not come close to matching Curry’s efficiency or movement without the ball. If he is not generating high usage numbers, his value diminishes dramatically.
However, if he is generating those numbers, he creates a limitation on the potential of other young players. Neither Daniels, Risacher, nor Johnson is a primary creator, but all three possess untapped potential with the ball. This is particularly true for Daniels, who many projected as a point guard prospect when drafted in 2022. One major argument for trading Young is the opportunity it would create for others. Allocating his usage among a replacement guard obtained in the trade and the three promising wings would help determine their value. Are they a core worth building around? Would they function well together on a team with genuine ambitions?
The ideal fit
Paradoxically, Young likely needs wings like these to reach his full potential. He requires players who focus more on 3-point shooting than ball handling. He needs various components to thrive on a competitive team: a star rim protector to establish a defensive foundation, alongside a great lob finisher to maximize his effectiveness with floaters and pass distribution. While secondary scoring is necessary, it needs to occur naturally within an offense he directs through pick-and-roll actions. He demands a highly tailored roster.
Most teams are willing to provide a suitable environment for a certain caliber of offensive star. This is essentially the blueprint for stars like James Harden and Luka Dončić. However, Young doesn’t reach their level of offensive effectiveness. His smaller stature and defensive shortcomings complicate matters. Building a team around him requires careful consideration, especially if the aim is to contend for a championship.
This is likely why teams generally linked to guards may not engage deeply in discussions involving Young. The Magic do not wish to disrupt Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner’s development; they prefer shooters to supplement their strengths. The Rockets face a similar situation, with Devin Booker making more sense as the crucial closer while still being able to run their offense through Alperen Sengun and potentially Amen Thompson. While perhaps feasible with Young, it would fail to optimize his skills since he requires the ball, which conflicts with the needs of other top-tier players.
The Spurs stood out as obvious candidates, as they control the Hawks’ first-round picks through 2027 and are in search of a point guard. The Hawks might have appreciated the opportunity to tank, but San Antonio opted for De’Aaron Fox instead. Though not an exceptional shooter, Fox’s experience with Domantas Sabonis demonstrated an ability to coexist with a big man who seeks to utilize the ball for purposes beyond mere dunks.
Possible destinations
What kind of market awaits Young in free agency in 2026? He is fortunate that several top-tier free agents, such as Dončić and Fox, have already found their homes. He now sits atop the list for an offseason that could bring ample cap space. Some team will likely show interest in a max contract. Could Miami view him as a viable defensive complement to Tyler Herro? Or perhaps a big-market team like the Nets would bring Young in, leveraging their surplus of draft picks to build a suitable supporting cast. Often, the teams with the most cap space are those struggling with talent. Someone will eventually offer a lucrative deal, yet the interest in Young may not be what he hopes for.
MacMahon’s insights are telling: there hasn’t been a strong market for Young historically. Unlike conventional younger All-Stars, he cannot merely request a trade to a successful franchise, as that team might not be keen on his acquisition. If he desires out of Atlanta, it could result in landing in another flawed environment.
Ironically, the Sacramento Kings come to mind immediately. I discussed this fit back in February. Sabonis unintentionally increased the speculation after Sacramento’s play-in exit against Dallas when he stated, “The biggest thing is that we need a point guard. That’s for sure.” Young would have to adapt his style; Sabonis does not excel as a lob finisher, and the team lacks significant defensive capability. Still, this scenario could finally provide him with an All-Star-caliber teammate. Whether he could adjust to such a partner remains uncertain. Zach LaVine represents a slightly more fitting option for an Atlanta team that seems inclined to shift more responsibilities to its wings. LaVine is a superior shooter and mover, although he is a far less effective playmaker. He could sustain the team until the franchise’s debt to San Antonio is resolved.
Should Phoenix seek a point guard to join forces with Booker, there might be a potential three-way trade involving Kevin Durant landing in his desired location while bringing assets to the Hawks. The partnership of Young and Booker seems more tenable than it may initially appear. Phoenix’s offensive dilemma revolved around an overreliance on shot-making, resulting in a shortage of shot-creation. Young can manufacture easy baskets, while Booker excels in difficult scoring situations. With a solid defense surrounding both, they may not contend for championships but could still be respectable. Furthermore, Booker fit seamlessly with his previous star point guard, Chris Paul.
However, it may take a desperate team, experiencing playoff disappointment and needing a significant shift but lacking the assets to pursue a less flawed player. Consider the Nuggets, for instance. They have reached their financial limits and have few tradable first-round picks. Lacking a straightforward path to transforming their roster for the upcoming season, the decision to let go of their head coach and general manager just three games before the end of the regular season suggests they are aware of the need for change.
Would they entertain a Young-for-Jamal Murray trade? On the surface, both teams might face challenges. The Hawks have limited creators and would be acquiring an inferior one in Murray, while the Nuggets struggle defensively and would be bringing in a notably weak defender. They would also be losing shooting efficiency. Additionally, the Hawks would inherit a four-year max contract loaded with injury concerns.
However, Young could address Denver’s bench dilemmas. Lineups anchored by Young, regardless of the supporting cast, tend to be strong offensively. Conversely, Murray strikes a balance offensively that could alleviate some of the burden from Young’s ball dominance, allowing him to lead the Hawks in scoring while also ensuring his wings have ample space to operate. This is the type of trade typically made by two teams desperate for change. Should Young seek a trade a year before free agency and the Nuggets find themselves vacant of other viable trade options, this could lead to two teams willing to trade.
This encapsulates the situation of all parties involved. Each year, the Young-Atlanta relationship becomes increasingly strained, but neither party seems ready or equipped for a clean break. If hesitations persist, trade rumors are likely to resurface, yet if a mutually beneficial deal had existed, it likely would have materialized by now.