What can the Hawks hope for in return for Trea Young?

After the soap opera around Giannis Antetokounmpoa new saga should animate the coming days in the NBA. ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed Monday night that the Hawks’ leaders are also agents Trae Young argue for find him a base. It seems that the end of the leader’s adventure in Georgia is near.

But despite the player’s status (a four-time All-Star and the best passer in the league last season), trade candidates are in no rush. Even at 27 and with a few good years ahead of him, Trae Young is a star, sure, but not exactly a coveted player.

There are plenty of rumors surrounding the former university star, for several reasons. Trae Young is extremely talented and undoubtedly one of the best creators in the league. But he’s also a polarizing player, electrifying to some and so frustrating to others. His major defensive deficiencies, both in terms of size and apparent lack of desire in sequences, limit his impact on his team’s success.

This season, the Hawks are allowing an average of 15 more points when he’s on the floor than when he’s on or off the bench, a league-worst total selon Glass cleaning.

Free agent at the end of the season?

His final seasons didn’t reach such depths, but they confirmed this glaring weakness: just one season (2022-2023) balanced in this statistic, six seasons spent in the third most punishing player for his practices on this side of the floor (between the 17th and 32nd percentiles).

His contract situation is also an obstacle. Tree Young’s lease ends at the end of the season, with ” player option » about 49 million dollars in 2026/27. Hawks management decided not to extend their All-Star last summer, but to give it a go Dyson Danielsretained after his MFA campaign ($100 million over four years).

But faced with this seemingly blocked future, Trae Young and the Hawks remain in several ways.

Washington Wizards

Marc Stein confident monday what the Wizards have positioned themselves as ” a legitimate potential exchange destination “. The capital franchise is one of the most interested in being active between now and the trade deadline. His two biggest paydays are expiring contracts CJ McCollum etc Chris Middletonand not the elements of the future on which to rebuild. Washington could therefore articulate a trade around CJ McCollum’s lease, according to Marc Stein, allowing the Hawks to start with a blank slate in six months while returning compensation, even a modest one. Team ofAlec Sarr and from Bilal Coulibaly would get a player of a higher caliber, in a position where no player has yet stood out as a potential starter.

Possible trade:

• The Wizards bring back Treo Young
• Hawks return CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert and first round pick (worst between Thunder, Rockets and Clippers)

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves are one of the few contending teams that could be interested in adding to the line. Minnesota is working with Donte DiVincenzo as a “default” leader, Doc Rob Dillingham is still very young and so far has not shown significant progress and that Mike Conley is saved as much as possible considering the high deadlines.

Shed Anthony Edwards some of the offensive responsibilities and giving him some open shots with a distributor like Tree Young could do some good for the current West finalist’s offense. And defensively, there’s no shortage of assets around the No. 1 position for damage mitigation.

However, it would be very complicated to find the right financial formula to reach an agreement. Julius Randle ($30.8 million this season, three years of contract including one option) will likely serve as the primary point on Tree Young’s contract. But Atlanta already is Jalen Johnson a striker who needs the ball in his hands and is a good creator. Donte DiVincenzo or Mike Conley should also be included in the trade, as well as small contracts to balance the deal. But would the Wolves let go of two important starters to bring back Tree Young and the uncertainty surrounding his contract?

Possible trades:

• The Wolves get Trae Young
• Hawks get Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Joe Ingles, Leonard Miller

Or

• The Wolves bring back Treo Young and N’Fali Dante
• Hawks return Julio Randle, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, 2026 2nd round draft (trade with Pacers, Heat or Spurs)

Dallas Mavericks

Agreement with the Mavericks he probably wouldn’t have Tree Young as a central figure, but as an essential pawn. Atlanta is mentioned among the teams she is most interested in to recover Anthony Davis. A heated exchange between the two All-Stars would make no sense. Atlanta would absorb an even bigger and longer contract than Trae Young, and would exceed the allocated salary cap and the “luxury tax” and “first apron” limits, limiting their room for maneuver. As for Dallas, pairing Tree Young with Kyrie Irving looks very amazing as indicated le Dallas Hoops Journal these last days.

Trae Young could then serve as a domino in a larger three- or four-team trade. Which could perhaps pave the way for other teams who haven’t come forward so far, especially for financial reasons, but who could see the arrival of Tree Young favorably. Like kings, to solve cases Zach LaVine or from DeMar DeRozan (even if The Athletic assured that Sacramento is not currently interested), or the Bucks who could be tempted by a new strong leader to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo stay.

Possible trades:

• Bucks get Trae Young, 2026 1st round pick from Hawks (traded with a lower pick between Spurs, Cavaliers, Timberwolves or Jazz)
• The Hawks bring back Anthony Davis and Dante Exum
• Mavericks return Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Zachary Rizacher, Gary Harris

Or

• The Kings bring back Treo Young
• Hawks get Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
• The Mavericks bring back Zach LaVine and Zachary Rizacher

Player option : the ability for the player to activate (or not) the last year of his contract, to end the lease or become a “free agent” one year in advance.