Ever since he was drafted seven seasons ago, Trae Young has been one of the NBA’s most intriguing and polarizing players. A four-time All-Star with an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2022, his accolades speak for themselves. However, Young’s recent production has dipped to levels not seen since his rookie season. Coupled with the emergence of promising young players such as Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson, Atlanta may be approaching the end of the Trae Young era.
So where could Young’s next destination be?
Could Trae Young Make His Move to the West?
What Young Brings to the Table
On one hand, Young is an offensive maestro. He is a player more than capable of leading his team to wins nightly. His unorthodox approach to offense includes taking shots as far out as half-court and finding good looks for cutting teammates, spot-up shooters, or big men in the pick-and-roll. Young’s eight assists per game are a testament to this fact.
Young is, however, a liability on defense. Although it can be argued that his effort has improved as he has played more, his lack of size (6’1″, 164 pounds) is a significant factor limiting his defensive versatility. His blow-by rates are high due to his struggles staying in front of fast guards. Additionally, too much effort on the defensive end of the floor could leave Young’s energy spent, energy that would be better utilized on offense.
The North Star State
The Minnesota Timberwolves lack a reliable player at point guard, which is why they should look into trading for Young. Despite his locker room merits, Mike Conley is 38 years old and can no longer keep up with the production that a contender needs. Rob Dillingham and Bones Hyland are better suited for backup point guard roles for the time being.
Trae Young can really help improve the Wolves’ offense with his scoring and passing. Anthony Edwards, despite averaging 29 points thus far, is doing so as a player who does not dominate the ball as much as other score-first guards. Young’s presence can help take some offensive load off Edwards’ shoulders. For Atlanta, a trade involving Young would need to grant them long-term flexibility to build around their younger players.
A Potential Trade?
A potential trade for Young will likely include Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle. Randle averages the most assists per game for the Timberwolves this season, with a little more than five a game. Randle also averages the second-most points on the team, and will be a valuable player should the Hawks execute this deal.
Although deemed untouchable by most Minnesota fans, Naz Reid could be traded as well. Atlanta could also demand that the Timberwolves give up Donte DiVincenzo. Both DiVincenzo and Reid are excellent outside shooters whose roles are fairly cut and dry in the Timberwolves system. This may make the Timberwolves unwilling to trade them in exchange for Young.
The Timberwolves should be more hesitant to give up Gobert in such a trade, as the team is very much dependent on the French big man to anchor their defense. Young single-handedly patches the hole at point guard in the Timberwolves offense. However, Gobert’s absence opens up a gash on the other end of the floor. According to Sports Illustrated, a possible trade would have the Timberwolves receiving Trae Young, while the Hawks get Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and Rob Dillingham.
Other moves that send Young to the Western Conference include a trade with the Sacramento Kings, who can give up Zach LaVine, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick swap. LaVine has little upside compared to Young, especially considering his performance for the Kings as of late and his injury history, particularly to the ankle and knee. However, he does match Young’s salary. Additionally, the Hawks’ focus will likely lie on the draft capital that the Kings can provide, as LaVine’s contract expires.
So, what will be the best decision for the Hawks?
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