The Atlanta Hawks appear to be heading for a breakup with franchise star Trae Young. The guard has only played 10 games this season so far due to a knee injury. One anonymous NBA executive shared his take on Young, who could opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
On the latest episode of The Ryen Russillo Show, the former analyst for The Ringer read what an NBA exec told him about Young. It was a harsh take that possibly affects the market for the sharpshooting playmaker.
“It’s hard to think of a team that’s trying to win this season that Trae would help, especially once you factor in what that team would be losing from the players they would have to send back as matching salary. He doesn’t defend. He doesn’t rebound. Guys hate playing with him,” the exec said, via HoopsHype.
ESPN’s Tim McMahon revealed on The Hoops Collective podcast that the Hawks are looking for an “exit ramp” with Young. The franchise wants to move on from their franchise star. One of their rumored targets is Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks.
However, the Mavericks are reportedly not interested in Young. That means the Hawks will have to find a way to trade the four-time All-Star and come up with a package for Davis.
Pat Bev Might Be Right About Trae Young
One of the most random beefs of the NBA offseason was between Trae Young and Patrick Beverley. While Young appeared to have won the feud against Beverley, the former player’s take on the Hawks star might be true based on what the NBA executive told Ryen Russillo.
“Players come, they see you, they get traded. Coaches come, they coach you, they get traded. GMs come, they govern the team, and then they get fired. Everyone that sees Trae Young gets fired. That’s the truth. People are scared to play in Atlanta,” Beverley said in a video on his YouTube channel, via Soaring Down South.
In his first seven seasons in Atlanta, Young has led the Hawks to the playoffs three times from 2021 to 2023. They even made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 and were two games away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1961.
Hawks Losing With Trae Young This Season
In 10 games this season, the Atlanta Hawks are 2-8 with Trae Young on the lineup. The Hawks’ defense plummets when he’s on the court. It’s understandable why the franchise wants to move on and build around Jalen Johnson.
The hybrid forward has turned into an All-Star caliber player this season. He’s averaging 23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His playmaking has been a highlight of the campaign, proving that he could take over Young’s primary attribute.
Without Young this season, the Hawks have a winning record of 13-11. If they can somehow manage to get Anthony Davis and keep him healthy, Atlanta could make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
In addition to Johnson’s performances, he’s on a bargain contract of five years for just $150 million.
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