Lou Williams likes the Magic as the best Trae Young trade option

Trade speculation surrounding Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young continued to intensify on Monday after it was revealed that the two sides were working on a potential deal. As the discussions gained momentum, the former NBA guard Lou Williams he identified Orlando Magic like his preferred destination for the All-Star guard.

Williams shared his take on the latest episode of FanDuel’s Run It Back series, citing Orlando’s established culture and roster structure as a strong combination.

“I like Orlando. That sounds like the best option to me,” Williams said.

Williams expanded on that view by stressing the importance of joining a team with an identity already in place, rather than reshaping it from scratch.

“Orlando sounds like the best option and like you said, when you introduce him with (Jamal Mosley) Moose and a team that already has its own culture that Trae Young isn’t building, you have to come in and you have to join what’s already being built,” Williams said.

“This is not your group. You come to add value to such a group.”

“Orlando sounds like the best option for Treo Young. – Lou Williams

Chandler Parsons suggests Jalen Suggs & Anthony Black as assets that could help trade Magic for Tree 👀@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/ziEbce6bKI

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 6, 2026

Lou Williams, Chandler Parsons see Magic as perfect fit for Treo Young

Williams added that such a situation could allow Young to progress within clear expectations.

“When you go to another franchise and they’re already building a culture and they’re telling you, ‘hey, this is how we work here and these are the things we need you to be successful for us,’ that’s going to be one of the best scenarios Trae Young can be in,” Williams said.

Former NBA forward Chandler Parsons echoed that sentiment later in the segment, pointing to Orlando’s depth and financial flexibility.

“And the thing about Orlando: Jalen Suggs just signed a big deal. They’ve got Anthony Black turning the corner. They’ve got the pieces out of (Franco) Wagner and Paolo (Banchero) to do that,” Parsons said.

Parsons also rejected the idea of Young lands with Washington amid persistent rumors.

“There’s no way Trae Young wants to go to Washington. It’s a worse situation than it is now. It’s a much worse franchise. It doesn’t make sense,” Parsons said.

“There’s no way Trae Young wants to go to Washington. It’s a worse situation than it is now. It’s a much worse franchise. It doesn’t make sense.” 👎@ChandlerParsons best suitors for Tree:
-Dallas
– Orlando
– Portland
– Phoenix@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/83MggtJaGE

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 6, 2026

Earlier in the discussion, Parsons pointed to Orlando’s coaching structure as another reason why it could work.

“When I look at Trae Young and the teams — I don’t hate Orlando because you have Jamal Mosley, a tough defensive coach where you have Franz Wagner and Paolo who could be one and two,” Parsons said.

“I think he would accept.”

The Hawks’ perspective, the contracts frame a potential trade framework

Young, 27, is averaging 19.3 points, 8.9 assists, 1.5 rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point range in 10 games as Atlanta opened the season 17-21. He is making $45.9 million this season as part of a five-year, $215.1 million deal that includes a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27.

One potential trade piece could be Jaylen Suggs, who signed a five-year, $150.5 million extension with Orlando in October 2024 and is making $35 million this season. The 24-year-old defender currently has problems with his right knee Grade 1 MCL contusion suffered against the Chicago Bulls. In 23 games, Suggs is averaging 15 points, four assists, 3.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.9 steals per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.1% from three.

Orlando could also make a deal around their 21-year-old guard, who will be enjoying his third season. He is averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 35% from three in 36 games, including 16 starts. He is in the third year of his four-year, $32.9 million rookie contract and is making $7.9 million this season.

For now, Orlando (20-16) will look to build on their recent 135-127 win over the Indiana Pacers to open a doubleheader Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards (9-25) at 7:00 PM ET. Atlanta hosts the New Orleans Pelicans (8-29) on Wednesday night before starting a four-game road trip against the Denver Nuggets (24-12) on Friday.