Trade Proposal Sends Hawks’ Trae Young To Spurs

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Spurs and Hawks:

The trade: The San Antonio Spurs trade Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, Devonte’ Graham and two first-round picks (including No. 1) to the Atlanta Hawks for Trae Young

According to NBA insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the Hawks are expected to trade Young this offseason.

Young averaged 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists this season while shooting 43.0% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc and 85.5% from the free-throw line. He registered 37 double-doubles in 54 games. 

“If San Antonio wants to gain entry into the West’s crowded playoff race, it needs to find some top-tier talent,” Buckley wrote. “Young certainly fits the bill. The 25-year-old has already booked three All-Star trips and is one of only two players to post career averages of 25 points and nine assists. For context, the other is Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

“The challenge with a Young-led team is fielding a competent defense around him, but Wembanyama’s cheat-code abilities on that end might make it happen. And Young, in turn, would simplify things greatly on the offensive end for the Frenchman with his scoring punch, passing vision and gravitational pull on opposing defenses.”

Young signed a five-year, $215 million extension with the Hawks in August 2021. He’ll make $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26.

Young, 25, holds career averages of 25.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

A source told Hoops Wire that the Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers are interested in acquiring Young this summer. Young is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, the superagent who represents Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. 

The Spurs need more talent around Victor Wembanyama, who won the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year Award. Young is one of the top scorers and passers in the NBA, so he would make San Antonio more explosive offensively.