Four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young nearing bombshell trade out of Atlanta
The Atlanta Hawks and four-time All-Star Trae Young are officially working together to find a trade destination for the 27-year-old, according to reports.
The bombshell development comes after months of speculation surrounding the franchise’s star player and his future with the team.
Now, according to ESPN, Young's representatives, led by Aaron Mintz of CAA, have entered 'positive and collaborative' talks with Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh.
The decision to move on follows a fractured summer where the Hawks front office reportedly elected not to offer Young a lucrative contract extension.
The point guard currently has two seasons remaining on his deal, worth approximately $95 million, including a player option for the 2026-27 season.
It remains to be seen where Young could end up but early reports have suggested that the Washington Wizards are among the frontrunners for a potential trade.
Trae Young and his agents are working with the Atlanta Hawks to find a potential trade
It would mark the end of his seven-and-a-half year tenure with the Hawks if he leaves
Other teams linked to the 27-year-old include the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Hawks, meanwhile, appear ready to usher in a new era centered around rising star Jalen Johnson and recent acquisition Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Johnson has exploded this season, averaging 24 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, proving he can shoulder the load as the team's primary outlet.
On the other hand, Young's season has been derailed with injuries. Currently, he is sidelined with a right quad contusion, having previously had a right MCL sprain.
And, amid his absence, stats suggest that the Hawks are actually better without him.
Atlanta hold a 15-12 record without their All-Star guard in the team, compared to a dismal 2-8 record when he has been in the lineup this season.
The team's defense has also proved to be more robust without Young, allowing nearly 10 fewer points-per-game in his absence.
Despite the injuries, Young remains one of the league's most prolific playmakers, having led the NBA in assists last season with 11.6 per game.
Young has made just 10 appearances this season amid a number of injuries to the guard
This season, his average of 8.9 assists sees him sit fourth in the league's rankings.
However, his scoring average of 19.3 points-per-game is the lowest it's been since his rookie year in Atlanta, where he averaged 19.1 points.
Since being drafted by the Hawks back in 2018, Young has been the face of the franchise and has since been named an NBA All-Star on four separate occasions.
Young famously led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, which they lost, but the team has struggled to replicate that postseason success since.
