It looks like the Trae Younger period in Atlanta is coming to an finish.
League sources instructed The Athletic on Monday night that the Hawks and Younger are working to discover a new residence for the lead guard earlier than the Feb. 5 commerce deadline, an final result that is sensible for everybody concerned. The Hawks have been at their greatest this season enjoying bigger and longer throughout the backcourt whereas empowering Jalen Johnson and different wings like him to play on the ball. Atlanta can put Younger’s $45 million wage slot to make use of this season and would have even higher use for his potential $49 million wage slot subsequent summer season.
If Younger and Kristaps Porziņģis’s expiring salaries each got here off the books in the summertime of 2026, the Hawks might set themselves up as a possible energy within the Jap Convention. They might have solely $107.5 million dedicated to eight gamers and likewise personal the New Orleans Pelicans’ unprotected first-round decide that’s at the moment tied for the highest odds to be the No. 1 decide in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class. Atlanta might have within the neighborhood of $45 million-$50 million in cap area on prime of entry to a participant like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer.
The query that I’ve acquired from sources across the NBA has not been whether or not Atlanta ought to commerce him, however which crew can be concerned with paying Younger shifting ahead. Undeniably, Younger is a talented participant who can tackle an immense offensive load. Earlier than this injury-riddled 16-game season to date, he averaged 26.5 factors per sport and 10.2 assists over the earlier six seasons. He’s arguably one of the best ball-screen passer within the NBA, a maestro who can discover teammates from any place on the courtroom from a stay dribble. He additionally has a multi-level scoring sport because of his pull-up taking pictures gravity and his deft floater sport.
Sadly, he’s additionally a flawed participant on this NBA period. Younger has by no means actually developed consistency in enjoying off the ball and tends to drift alongside the perimeter when he doesn’t have it in his fingers. Whereas Younger shot about 44 % from the sector and 36 % from 3 on a tough shot weight loss program from 2020 to 2024, he has made solely 41 % of his field-goal makes an attempt and 33 % of his 3s the final two years. Basically, Younger shot the ball 3 % above league common by way of true-shooting share from 2020 to 2024 however has been 2 % beneath league common since. And that’s earlier than we get to Younger’s protection, which has all the time left loads to be desired due to his lack of measurement and energy.
The groups talked about essentially the most for Younger after I’ve requested across the league are usually both rebuilding ones searching for stable level guard play to assist develop the remainder of their roster or groups that merely want extra scoring punch and have sturdy sufficient defensive infrastructure to make up for Younger’s deficiencies. Hardly ever does the dialogue of buying and selling Younger embrace a lot coming again to Atlanta by way of draft-pick worth.
Right here, I’ll current a number of choices that would make sense for Younger and the Hawks as they appear to maneuver on from each other:
Commerce to the Wizards for expiring cash
Washington Wizards obtain: YoungHawks obtain: C.J. McCollum, Corey Kispert, 2026 Oklahoma Metropolis first-round decide, two second-round picks
The case for/towards the Wizards: The Wizards (9-25) are rebuilding and have an intriguing mix of younger wings, together with Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly, on prime of spectacular second-year heart Alex Sarr. The addition of Younger might supercharge their developmental course of, as Washington lacks an organizational presence on the lead guard spot. McCollum is extra of a perimeter-based scoring guard. Khris Middleton doesn’t collapse defenses at this stage of his profession.
Younger would give them a participant who might put paint strain on opposing groups in a method that the Wizards lack. Washington very hardly ever will get to the foul line and usually turns the ball over too usually. Regardless of Younger’s propensity for turnovers, his groups are usually extremely rated in offensive turnover fee. The Wizards are additionally twenty first within the NBA in help fee; Younger’s skill to break down defenses and make high-level kickout reads or lobs would assist.
Washington’s wings can be fairly complementary to Younger due to their taking pictures skill, and Sarr would work properly as a pick-and-roll associate. Sarr thrives in short-roll conditions; that’s a talent {that a} crew using Younger wants, as a result of opposing defenses usually blitz Younger both with two gamers in screens or by enjoying on the stage to account for his pull-up gravity. Possessing a launch valve like Sarr who can benefit from bent defenses can be immensely priceless. The Wizards additionally don’t have a lot use for what is going to possible be the No. 30 decide within the draft, given the variety of younger gamers they have already got on the roster in addition to the longer term picks they’ve incoming.
Why would the Wizards not do that? Properly, Washington has the Twenty ninth-ranked protection within the NBA, and buying Younger would definitely make life harder on that finish long-term. The Wizards’ guards already wrestle to get via ball screens, and that’s an space the place Younger’s lack of measurement and energy poses structural points. Nonetheless, I feel that with Coulibaly, George and Sarr round, that is the form of crew that would have an opportunity to mitigate Younger’s size points.
The case for the Hawks doing this deal: The Hawks merely get off Younger’s cash for subsequent 12 months whereas additionally buying a late first, a few seconds and rotational taking pictures wing in Kispert that they might possible ahead on to a 3rd crew in the event that they wanted the area. McCollum would give them scoring punch within the backcourt this 12 months and work properly with the remainder of the crew to exchange the half-court firepower they want with out Younger. McCollum is averaging almost 19 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 45 % from the sector and 39 % from 3, principally consistent with his profession averages.
I’ve all the time been a fan of Kispert as a stable rotational wing who can knock down photographs, lower off the ball and be an unselfish offensive presence who takes benefit of what’s introduced. Over his final 4 years, he’s averaged 11.8 factors whereas taking pictures 48 % from the sector, 39 % from 3 and 79 % from the road in almost 250 video games. He picks and chooses his spots properly and would assist Atlanta in the event that they wished to maintain him. Even when they didn’t and most well-liked the area, Kispert is the form of participant {that a} crew just like the Detroit Pistons, for instance, would possible take free of charge into their $14.1 million commerce exception to assist their ground spacing round Cade Cunningham.
This deal would give the Hawks about $32 million-$38 million in cap area with 9 gamers plus the Pelicans’ first-round decide underneath contract, conducting their purpose of retaining flexibility whereas including some draft capital.
Hawks money in flexibility in three-team deal
Wizards obtain: YoungHawks obtain: Anthony Davis, Dwight PowellDallas Mavericks obtain: McCollum, Zaccharie Risacher, Kispert, 2032 unprotected Hawks first-round decide
The case for the Mavericks: I’m certain the Pelicans’ decide can be the Mavs’ opening bargaining place in a Davis take care of the Hawks. They’re not going to get that decide. As a substitute, they get McCollum’s expiring deal, Kispert, an unprotected first-round decide far out into the longer term and take the flyer on Risacher, the previous No. 1 decide who has regressed this season however presents as an ideal complement to Cooper Flagg on the wing long-term.
Risacher is just not a very explosive or forceful athlete, however he’s very expert for his measurement at almost 6-foot-9. After ending second in Rookie of the Yr voting final 12 months, he has not stepped up this season to select up the slack for Younger’s half-court creation within the video games that Younger has missed. Risacher is averaging 10.6 factors, three rebounds and 1.4 assists whereas taking pictures 44.9 % from the sector and 33.1 % from 3. Risacher has all the time been a streaky shooter, having gone on lengthy stretches making underneath 30 % from distance after which different lengthy stretches making 45 % from 3, and that dates again to each his pre-draft 12 months and his rookie season.
Risacher’s greatest contributions don’t all the time present up within the field rating, as he’s a pointy crew defender who’s all the time conscientious about serving to the helper and ensuring he’s rotationally sound, on prime of being cutter who occupies defenders for his teammates. Nonetheless, he hasn’t been almost productive or environment friendly sufficient this season, and he must turn out to be a extra diligent rebounder and on-ball defender whereas ironing out his taking pictures consistency. I might not have thought of drafting him No. 1 in 2024, so I’m most likely a bit decrease on him than the Hawks (though this can be a totally different entrance workplace management group than the one who chosen him). I’d most likely be keen to incorporate him in a deal for the proper participant, despite the fact that I imagine in his potential as a beginning high quality participant within the Jabari Smith Jr. mould.
This deal would deliver the Mavericks’ return for Luka Dončić, in complete, to McCollum, Risacher, Kispert, Max Christie and three first-round picks. Is that sufficient for Dončić? Completely not. However at the very least it seems to be a bit bit higher.
The actual query is whether or not Davis is the proper participant for the Hawks. That’s query value exploring.
The case for/towards the Hawks: I’m not fairly as excessive on the thought of the Hawks using a few of their property and fully minimizing their flexibility this summer season to amass Davis proper now. However there’s a case for it. On the plus aspect, Davis would rework the Hawks’ protection. It’s onerous to think about a greater dual-big mixture than Davis and Porziņģis; Porziņģis might area the courtroom on the perimeter on offense and maintain down the inside on protection, whereas Davis performs in ball screens offensively with Atlanta’s guards after which wreaks havoc on the weak aspect along with his size on protection. Because the NBA sizes up, that will be a enjoyable mixture for the remainder of the 12 months. You may say related issues about Davis-Onyeka Okongwu mixtures, or you could possibly go smaller with Davis on the 5 and Jalen Johnson on the 4.
The Hawks would have lineup flexibility that will permit them to take care of high-level defensive play. Such a again line on protection would additionally weaponize Dyson Daniels much more on the perimeter to gamble along with his disruption on ballhandlers, realizing that he has an actual presence behind him. Then subsequent 12 months, the Hawks might proceed to have massive and small seems to be with Okongwu-Davis mixtures or Davis-Johnson combos, whereas staying underneath the cap and looking out to make use of their mid-level exception to amass a scoring guard who is sensible for them (in the event that they don’t hit the lottery and find yourself with Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with that Pelicans’ decide).
Davis stays an incredible participant. He’s averaging 20 factors and 10.8 rebounds per sport whereas taking pictures 52 % from the sector and tossing up almost three steals or blocks per sport. He’s energetic on protection, fluid and cell throughout each ball screens and in assist protection. Offensively, he’s nonetheless glorious along with his face-up sport and is sharp as a associate in ball screens.
I simply wouldn’t really feel nice about betting on Davis’ well being when the choice is having flexibility to get youthful gamers in the summertime who higher match the crew’s timeline. Johnson continues to be solely 24. Okongwu simply turned 25. Daniels is 22. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is 27, and I stay fairly excessive on 23-year-old backup Mo Gueye. They’ll be joined by an elite draft decide who will possible be a youngster. I’m unsure that giving up actual property and including an almost 33-year-old Davis maximizes their window. The alternate options in free company could possibly be one thing like holding Risacher and the longer term decide after which signing 26-year-old Coby White and 28-year-old Mitchell Robinson. Or signing 28-year-old Isaiah Hartenstein and 26-year-old Quentin Grimes. All these gamers are unrestricted free brokers. I feel I’d relatively pursue these pathways if I had been the Hawks.
Life in LA with the Clippers
LA Clippers obtain: YoungHawks obtain: John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanović, Kobe Brown, 2030 Clippers’ lottery-protected first-round decide
The case for the Clippers: LA’s offense falls off a cliff when James Harden leaves the courtroom this 12 months. Per Databallr, when Harden is on the courtroom, the Clippers put up an offensive ranking of 121.2. That might be equal to the fifth-best offense within the NBA this season. When he’s off the courtroom, they put up an offensive ranking of 106.5, a quantity that will be useless final within the NBA by greater than two factors per 100 possessions. By buying Younger and staggering him with Harden, the crew would have a reliable level guard on the market always and will find yourself making the Play-In Event simply via that alone. Sure, the match with Harden is just not ultimate by any stretch after they’re each on the courtroom. However if you happen to staggered them accurately, that will solely must happen for about 12 to fifteen minutes per sport.
If the Clippers went down that street, they’d need Younger to choose in to his participant possibility upon being acquired. The reason being that it might arrange their 2026-27 in an fascinating method. Harden has a participant possibility for 2025-26 that’s locked in for less than $13 million assured. At 27, Younger can be a pure inheritor obvious to Harden and would permit the Clippers to proceed to play the 2 timelines card.
The Clippers are set as much as have main cap area in the summertime of 2027, with solely Ivica Zubac’s $21 million locked in on their books. Having Younger underneath contract for the 2026-27 season earlier than hitting unrestricted free company would give them a number of flexibility each this summer season and subsequent summer season when Kawhi Leonard and Younger would come off the books. The crew might look to attempt to retain Younger and Leonard for round $100 million in the event that they’re each nonetheless value that cash after which nonetheless have $40 million-plus in cap area. Or the Clippers might retain solely Younger with Zubac for round $60 million-$70 million complete if Leonard’s well being fails and nonetheless be in a optimistic place to reshape the roster. Or they might merely transfer on from Younger.
With Steve Ballmer’s cash, what’s reputed to be one of the best medical crew within the NBA, a well-respected entrance workplace, a brand new high-end area, and a sunny Los Angeles zip code, the Clippers might simply pivot right into a optimistic scenario.
The case for the Hawks: This deal would make sense for the Hawks underneath two circumstances. The primary is that if no person else gives something of worth for Younger and as an alternative calls for that the Hawks give them worth again in a deal. I feel they will most likely discover a commerce the place that doesn’t occur. Second, if the Hawks resolve that they solely need expiring cash for Younger, it’s onerous to discover a higher scenario than this one. Collins and Brown are expiring contracts, and Bogdanović has a crew possibility for subsequent season with zero cash assured. That might permit the Hawks to maximise their flexibility in the summertime whereas including a high-value draft decide.
4 choices I don’t assume make sense
Toronto Raptors obtain: Younger, Luke KennardHawks obtain: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, two future first-round picks
Why this doesn’t make sense for anybody: The Raptors are going to be introduced up any time {that a} star offensive participant — notably a guard — is offered. To make the salaries work, a Toronto deal would basically need to contain each Quickley and Barrett until the crew was keen to surrender three of its younger gamers. For the Hawks, that doesn’t work even when the Raptors threw in two future first-rounders (a worth that will be required to get off the Quickley deal, which has three years left after this one at almost $100 million complete) as a result of it might tank the Hawks’ flexibility this summer season.
For the Raptors, giving up a number of picks for Younger is a foul plan. The crew has lastly found out its defensive id this season, partly by enjoying high-pressure point-of-attack protection. Younger doesn’t match that paradigm.
Phoenix Suns obtain: YoungHawks obtain: Jalen Inexperienced, Royce O’Neale, Khaman Maluach
Why this doesn’t make sense: I can perceive why the Suns would look into Younger as an fascinating associate for Booker. He’d shift Booker extra constantly off the ball and provides them one other dynamic possibility as a playmaker. First-year coach Jordan Ott has been terrific to date and has nice expertise with a two-headed monster within the backcourt from his days in Cleveland. He might most likely get essentially the most out of a Younger-Booker mixture.
However related to what’s mentioned above, the Hawks would damage their flexibility this summer season by buying Inexperienced and O’Neale. I feel they’re can do higher than that in free company or in trades the place they take again wage this summer season. The prize for doing this could be getting Maluach, who’s a terrific younger defensive heart drafted No. 10 final 12 months. I simply don’t assume he’s value giving up all of Atlanta’s flexibility.
Minnesota Timberwolves obtain: YoungHawks obtain: Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, Leonard Miller
Why this doesn’t make sense: Anytime a degree guard’s title comes up, the Wolves will get talked about. However this one doesn’t work due to how a lot Younger makes. Except Minnesota is keen to finish a five-for-one commerce in the course of the season or embrace Jaden McDaniels in a deal — two concepts that appear extremely unlikely, bordering on silly — the one development that works underneath wage matching guidelines includes Reid, DiVincenzo and Conley with a minimum-salaried participant. For what would ostensibly be a win-now transfer, that looks like a number of depth to surrender for Younger. The Wolves would then possible be counting on minutes from Rob Dillingham or Bones Hyland in a playoff sequence, on prime of needing actual minutes from uncooked rookie Joan Beringer on the backup heart place. I additionally don’t like the thought of taking the ball out of Anthony Edwards’ fingers, given how profitable he’s been within the playoffs. Minnesota’s greatest wager on the level guard place stays somebody who can play each on and off the ball.
For the Hawks, it once more comes all the way down to flexibility. Reid and DiVincenzo are good gamers, however Atlanta would possibly have the ability to do higher.
Sacramento Kings obtain: YoungHawks obtain: Zach LaVine, Devin Carter, a future first-round decide
Why this doesn’t make sense: The Athletic’s Sam Amick has already reported that the Kings aren’t , nevertheless it’s value noting why a number of sources on different groups have imagined to me that Sacramento might make sense. This might appear to be rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic for the Kings, buying one ball-dominant participant for one more score-first, on-ball possibility. Younger is certainly a greater participant than LaVine, which is why the Kings can be required so as to add right here. However I don’t assume Sacramento turns into higher sufficient to sacrifice that future worth.
For the Hawks, I don’t assume the juice is definitely worth the squeeze. LaVine doesn’t match their age timeline, and the opposite property aren’t adequate if the opposite possibility is merely getting cap area from both the Clippers or Wizards.
