Hawks star Trae Young posts cryptic message as NBA draft nears

Shortly after it was announced that the Los Angeles Lakers were hiring JJ Redick as their next head coach, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young posted a very interesting message on social media.

Learn more: Lakers to hire JJ Redick as next head coach

Young took to his X page to post a simple emoji: an hourglass. This emoji is used to symbolize time passing. Here is the message:

This post immediately gained traction on social media, and understandably so. Young has been rumored to be a potential trade candidate since the end of the regular season, and even more so since the Hawks had a shocking chance at the No. 1 pick in next week’s draft.

No more news: Hawks Reportedly Open to Trading Trae Young After NBA Lottery Win

After the lottery, in which the Hawks had just a three percent chance of landing the top pick, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski discussed the potential of a Young deal.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Atlanta to begin to reshape its roster,” Wojnarowski said. “I think the possibility of trade talks including Trae Young this spring and summer is also very real. But this No. 1 pick for the Hawks gives them a chance to bring in an impact player if they decide maybe- be to get younger and maybe start rebuilding this group.

Young was part of one of the most influential trades in NBA history when the Dallas Mavericks traded a 2019 first-round pick to move up two spots and select Luka Doncic, leaving Young for the Hawks at No. 5 Since the trade, Young has become one of the best young point guards in the NBA, making three All-Star teams and earning All-NBA 3rd Team honors in 2021-22.

The Hawks made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 and made two more playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. The team even made a blockbuster deal with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire Dejounte Murray ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Unfortunately, the Young-Murray duo didn’t work out and the Hawks had their worst season in four years with a 36-46 record and missed the playoffs in 2024. After getting lucky with the No. 1, the Hawks could look to start over a bit and rebuild. They dangled Murray during trade talks at last year’s deadline, but ultimately failed to get a deal done. Now Young, who just signed the second of a five-year, $215.2 million contract, could be shopped.

The NBA Draft begins Wednesday, June 26, and the two-day event concludes Thursday. The Hawks have likely had tons of discussion since the end of their season surrounding Young and the rest of their team as they decide what to do with the No. 1 pick.

Young’s message Thursday could mean a deal is in the works. This could mean he is becoming more and more frustrated with the waiting game. It could also mean absolutely nothing. But the Hawks will be one of the most talked about teams in the next week leading up to the draft, and Young could be one of the most talked about names throughout the offseason.