The Atlanta Hawks have struggled to stay healthy this season. Multiple players have missed large chunks of the season. Right now, they are missing Kristaps Porzingis, as he is still dealing with an illness. That illness might affect him for the rest of his career.
Trae Young played the first five games of the season before missing several weeks after that with an injury. Without Young in the lineup, the Hawks actually played pretty well. Young has now played five of the last six games since returning from that injury.
Ahead of a game against the reigning defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Hawks have now downgraded Young’s availability for that tough matchup.
GettyAtlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young drives the ball. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Trae Young Ruled Out vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Young has been ruled out of a game against the Thunder due to a quad injury. It will now be harder for the Hawks to beat the Thunder without their starting point guard, although their defense will be better. Young will sit out of this game, as trade rumors mount.
There are multiple rumors out there that Young could be involved in a trade at the deadline after seeing how well the Hawks were able to play without him. His inability to stay healthy is certainly hurting his trade value, but the Hawks will still listen to calls.
Playing against the Thunder without their best passer will certainly hurt their ability to move the ball and generate open shots. The Thunder currently have the best defense in the league. Young is still the most popular player that Atlanta has on the roster, so trading him will be hard to do.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, they will also be without Jalen Johnson. Johnson will miss this game against the Thunder with illness. Johnson has become one of the best players on the team, and a prime reason why the Hawks feel they might be able to trade Young.
GettyAtlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young gets fouled. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Hawks Have Assets to Make a Big Trade
Atlanta could also go the other way with their trades and try to make a big move. Young might still be on the roster if the Hawks try to make a move for someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is the biggest possible trade chip out there.
If Antetokounmpo isn’t available, they could also try to make a trade for Anthony Davis. Davis is hurt again, so that doesn’t bode well for his chances of finding a new home. As long as Young struggles to stay healthy, the Hawks will continue to look at possibly parting ways with him.
Right now, the Hawks sit 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. If they are going to try to make a playoff push, they are one of the teams to watch when the deadline approaches in a couple of months. If there is going to be a big move to be made at the deadline, the Hawks are the team to watch.
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