5 Ideal Trade Scenarios for Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young

Trae Young and Atlanta Hawks rumors — Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young recently added to the trade rumors when he sent a cryptic message on social media. Young was subjected to these rumors well before Atlanta’s disappointing 2023-24 season ended in the NBA Play-In tournament.

Just a few years ago, Young was considered one of the best young players in the league. Since then, his reputation has taken a bit of a hit.

Even then, we’re talking about a 25-year-old guard who’s averaging 25.5 points and 9.5 assists over his six-year career. There will be interest in his services. Here, we look at five ideal scenarios involving Young this summer.

Related: Updated NBA Trade Rumors

Utah Jazz use picks to acquire Trae Young

Utah Jazz, Trae Young — Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

Utah has 15 first-round picks through the end of the decade. It’s time for front office boss Danny Ainge to use some of these assets as a franchise cornerstone after a 51-loss season. Teaming Young with frontcourt stars Lauri Markkanen and Alker Kessler would go a long way in building a true playoff team in Salt Lake.

Trae Young to Utah Jazz trade scenario

NBA: Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors — Credit: Bob Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports

Utah Jazz gets: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks get: Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Taylor Hendricks, first round picks

In exchange for Young, Atlanta acquires two players, Clarkson and Sexton, who can be traded for draft assets. He also gets 2023 first-round pick Taylor Hendricks and a future first-round selection.

Related: DeMar DeRozan’s Best Landing Spots in NBA Free Agency

Minnesota Timberwolves pair Trae Young with Anthony Edwards

Trae Young vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Can you imagine Trae Young and Anthony Edwards teaming up in the Minnesota backcourt with four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert in the low post? It’s the basketball version of adult television. The ‘Wolves won 56 games and earned a spot in the Western Conference Finals. But with Karl-Anthony Towns as a realistic option, this is not a championship team.

Trade scenario between Trae Young and the Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA: Playoffs-Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves get: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks get: Karl-Anthony Towns

It’s a one-for-one exchange. Perhaps Atlanta gets the better end of the deal. But that seems pretty fair in the grand scheme of things, especially considering Minnesota’s lack of draft assets. The Hawks could either keep KAT or flip him for other assets as the team potentially looks to rebuild.

Related: Latest Minnesota Timberwolves News and Rumors

Orlando Magic adds Trae Young star

Orlando Magic vs. Trae Young — Credit: Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports

Forward Paolo Banchero is a true rising star for a Magic team that won a surprising 47 games last season. Franz Wagner is also a great complementary piece in the first zone. Unfortunately, Orlando lacks the backcourt talent to be considered a serious title contender. Young would certainly provide that, creating a reverse duo with Banchero.

Trae Young’s trade scenario to Orlando Magic

Trae Young vs. the Orlando Magic — Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Orlando Magic gets: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks get: Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, first round pick

Orlando traded two recent first-round picks, Anthony and Black, to Atlanta in order to acquire Young. Add in another first-round pick, and it’s the right move for the Hawks. After all, they would be opting out of the remainder of Young’s bloated five-year contract, worth $215 million.

Related: 4 Orlando Magic Moves to Become an NBA Team Title Contender

Brooklyn Nets use Ben Simmons to acquire Trae Young

NBA: Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks — Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets will not trade Mikal Bridges. Let’s put this aside now. Instead, they’ll find a running partner for the star striker. Speaking of star power, it’s needed to compete with the New York Knicks in the Big Apple. Young would be a great fit with Bridges and Cam Johnson in Brooklyn.

Trae Young’s trade scenario to Brooklyn Nets

NBA: Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets — Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Brooklyn Nets get: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks get: Ben Simmons, Noah Clowney, first-round pick

Very little in return for Trae Young. This should be your first response. The reasoning is simple. Simmons has an expiring $40 million contract through the 2024-25 season. That means the Hawks would save over $98 million in the long run by making this deal.

Learn more: NBA power rankings updated ahead of offseason

Los Angeles Lakers go big with Trae Young

Trae Young vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off hiring JJ Redick as their next head coach, the Lakers’ goal must be to find a running partner for LeBron James (assuming he returns) and Anthony Davis. Los Angeles lacked consistency behind the big two during a 2023-24 season that ended with a first-round playoff exit. Young’s age of 25 also makes him a possible franchise cornerstone in the post-LeBron years.

Trae Young to Los Angeles Lakers trade scenario

NBA: Playoffs-Los Angeles Lakers against Denver Nuggets — Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers get: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks get: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, two 1st round picks

Much like the other deals on this list, Atlanta is opting out of Young’s bloated contract to expire. It also adds two future first-round picks from Los Angeles. These could become extremely valuable once LeBron James decides to retire. Everyone would be lightly protected.

Related: NBA trade tracker updated with grades