The situation in Atlanta is uncertain as the Hawks are currently on a six-game losing streak, holding a 15-18 record as of December 29th. Interestingly, five of these losses occurred shortly after Trae Young returned from injury. Despite being the pivotal player for the franchise, Young hasn’t been able to translate his presence into wins this season. The team’s record with Young is 2-8, compared to 13-10 without him.
Young, a four-time All-Star and last season’s leader in assists, has struggled this year due to an MCL injury. His averages have dipped to 19.3 points per game, with shooting percentages at 41.5% overall and 30.5% from beyond the arc—his lowest since his rookie year. Now, rumors suggest that the Hawks might consider trading Young before the February 5th deadline.
As of December 29th, DraftKings Sportsbook lists odds on where Young might end up next, with the Hawks favored at -135, followed by the Mavericks at +170, Timberwolves at +650, Cavaliers at +900, Bucks at +1200, Magic at +1600, Kings at +2000, and Pelicans also at +2000.
While the Hawks are expected to retain Young post-deadline, Dallas is the front-runner for acquiring him. The Mavericks, currently 12-21 despite having key players like Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg, have struggled mainly due to star point guard Kyrie Irving being sidelined with a torn ACL. The Timberwolves, with point guard options including veteran Mike Conley, Bones Hyland, and second-year Rob Dillingham, rank third in potential trade destinations.
The Hawks are set to face the Thunder in Oklahoma City without Young, who remains out with a quadriceps contusion.
Fan Take: This potential move is big news for basketball fans because Trae Young’s future could reshape the dynamics of multiple teams. How the Hawks handle this situation might significantly influence the playoff picture and could spark major shifts in the NBA landscape.
