The Atlanta Hawks are a fascinating team this offseason as their franchise star Trae Young‘s future is coming to the fore.
The All-Star guard is entering the final year of his current max deal. He will be eligible for a four-year max extension worth up to $229 million this offseason, according to ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks but he doesn’t see the Hawks paying him that much.
“Unless Young is willing to compromise on his next contract (at three years, $120 million, for example), it is hard to see the Hawks writing a $229 million check to the 26-year-old All-Star.
If he doesn’t compromise, will the Hawks trade him before he can become an unrestricted free agent after next season?
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale proposed a three-team trade that could bring back win-now players and draft capital for Young to the Hawks, who do not want to bottom out.
Here is Favale’s trade proposal:
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jordan Poole, Marcus Smart, Andre Jackson Jr., Tyler Smith
2031 first-round pick (unprotected via Bucks), 2026 first-round pick swap rights (via Bucks/Pelicans), 2030 first-round pick swap rights (via Bucks/Blazers)
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Trae Young
Washington Wizards receive: Damian Lillard, 2025 second-round pick (No. 47 overall via Bucks), 2031 second-round pick (via Bucks)
Hawks Get Reasonable Return
The Hawks face a dilemma whether to continue having Young as their franchise cornerstone for a staggering price in today’s NBA where small guards are constantly being hunted in the playoffs.
Part of the reason why the Hawks traded Dejounte Murray instead of Young because the latter had little value in the trade market. When The Ringer’s Zach Lowe was still with ESPN last year, he reported that Young’s market “is as chilly as it has ever been.”
That hasn’t change especially after the Hawks remained a play-in team with him as their top guy.
So for the Hawks to get get an unprotected first from the Bucks in 2031 when Antetokounmpo will be 36, should excite them, according to Favale, on top of getting swap rights in 2026 and 2030, potentially improving their draft position.
Career-wise, a trade to the Milwaukee Bucks will also help Young in his pursuit of a championship, which has slim odds in Atlanta. Young playing as Robin to Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Batman better suits him and enhances his chance to win a ring.
“If Atlanta is uncomfortable giving Young a max contract moving forward, this trade would bring a nice balance of picks and players back in return,” Favale wrote.
Is Trae Young a 1A Star in a Championship Team?
The answer to this question should dictate what the Hawks will do with Young when it comes to his max extension.
After Young led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, they have regressed proving that it was just a fluke during the post-pandemic season.
“As good as Young is, that’s over $57 million per season for a player who’s only made an All-NBA team once in his seven seasons. Atlanta also needs to extend Dyson Daniels, who’s entering the final year of his rookie contract,” Favale wrote.
The Hawks should copy the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s blue print of building a roster full of two-way players, which unfortunately Young isn’t. They could pivot and build around the ultra-athletic 6-foot-8 wing Jalen Johnson, who is three years younger than Young, with Daniels and last year’s No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher.
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