Insider sheds light on Hawks’ potential asking price for Trae Young trade

Headlines have all indicated that the trade market for Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is “cold,” following a report from ESPN’s Zach Lowe. Lowe mentioned the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs when discussing the trade market for Young.

Rumors have linked both organizations to Young since the deadline, when his name surfaced in reports following their rumored talks with the Hawks.

“San Antonio hasn’t shown much interest in the pick recently, sources said. The Spurs understand the potential value of those picks, and they seem (for now) to be more interested in holding them hostage than trading them to Atlanta,” Lowe wrote on July 5. “The Lakers, too, have shown little interest in Young recently, sources said. That could change.” if the price drops to the taste of LA. But the market for Young is colder than ever.

The trade for Murray appears to solidify Young’s place within the organization.

They were also The two star guards are not expected to be parted with after early speculation suggested that would indeed be an optionaccording to Matt Moore of Action Network.

However, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Ficher reported on June 28 that the Hawks are expected to continue to explore business options for all players on the roster except 2021 first-round pick Jalen Johnson and No. 1 overall rookie Zaccharie Risacher.

However, this is not the first time it has been reported that Murray has a more robust trade market than Young.

“For Atlanta, the Trae Young-Dejounte Murray partnership never worked; two years later,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on “SportsCenter” on June 29. “It just was easier to trade Dejounte Murray. There was more market with his contract and where he is currently in this league.

Finances and other factors at play in Hawks’ trade decision

Murray begins a four-year contract that Spotrac Projects to go from $114 million to $122 million thanks to his trade kicker.

He will have $28.3 million under the salary cap in 2024-25.

Young is entering the third year of a five-year, $215.1 million contract with a $43 million salary cap hit for next season. Both players have player options for the final year of their respective contracts. But there’s a $17.6 million increase between Murray’s final number and Young’s.

Murray, who played out of position with the Hawks, is also a taller point guard at 6’4″, while Young, who is 6’1″, is widely considered a defensive liability.

The Hawks’ response this offseason appears to have been to better complement Young.

Lowe’s analysis highlights an underlying trend in the decision and could call into question Young’s long-term future with the organization. But it also suggests the Hawks have maintained a high asking price despite the offers they’ve received.

Negotiations with the Lakers had failed due to the Hawks’ reluctance to take back D’Angelo Russell. They also had their sights set on Austin Reaves, but the Lakers were unwilling to include him.

He has repeatedly stated that he wants to stay, while remaining true to his desire to win.

It’s unclear how Young feels about the changes the Hawks have made. But the roster is bigger than last season. There’s also always a chance the Hawks will make other roster changes around Young.