The Atlanta Hawks have had one of the most aggressive offseason of any team in the NBA. It has been very clear that the team is looking to build a championship contender around star point guard Trae Young.
Among the moves that the Hawks made this offseason are the trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics, signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and signing Caleb Houstan to a one-year deal.
While the team has improved dramatically on paper, the question still remains about Young and his future with the team.
Young has been a popular name in the rumor mill over the last couple of years. He has been viewed by some as a potential future trade candidate.
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Keeping that in mind, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania has revealed that executives around the league are “closely watching and monitoring the future and status of Young.
Grant Afseth of Fastbreak Journal, a rising NBA reporter, has reported that Young and Atlanta have had “no substantial negotiations have taken place to this point.”
He expounded more on the current situation between Young and the Hawks.
“Several executives told FastbreakJournal.com that while Young’s talent is undeniable, his fit as a franchise cornerstone would be evaluated closely depending on the team’s roster construction and leadership infrastructure,” Afseth wrote.
During the 2024-25 NBA season with Atlanta, Young played in 76 games, averaging 24.2 points per game to go along with 11.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. In addition, he shot 41.1 percent from the floor and 34 percent from three-point range.
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At just 26 years of age, Young would be a piece that teams would love to acquire. He’s a prolific scorer and playmaker. Now, he simply needs to start winning basketball games at a high level.
Depending on how the 2025-26 NBA season goes, these rumors could pick up steam or die off. With the Hawks making major improvements, it will be on Young to prove that he can be the lead man for a playoff caliber team.
Expect to continue hearing rumors and reports about Young in the coming months. Atlanta seems primed to take a huge step forward, but executives are watching him closely as a potential target in the future.
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