NBA Rumors: Trae Young can potentially be traded from Atlanta Hawks this summer
Trae Young could be the next personnel on the move after the Atlanta Hawks dismissed coach Nate McMillan this week. With the Hawks not seeing enough success with their star point guard's leadership, the option of possibly blowing it all up could come to fruition in the upcoming offseason.
According to The Athletic, there's a chance that the Hawks could start exploring other options for the sharp-shooting guard. Jared Weiss shared that it could start happening this summer after the 2022-23 NBA season ends:
"I expect that Atlanta is going to start exploring it, and it’s going start getting out this summer."
“I expect that Atlanta is going to start exploring it, and it’s going start getting out this summer.”
- @JaredWeissNBA on the Hawks potentially trading Trae Young
(Via @TheAthleticNBA ) https://t.co/uZzJE3M4LP
The lack of success with Young could push the Hawks organization to move him into the summer. He won't be a free agent in the offseason as he's still under contract. This season is the start of his five-year, $205 million extension that he signed during the 2021 offseason.
The two-time All-Star is in his fifth season with Atlanta this season, and the team was looking forward to having a big 2022-23 campaign. This is why they decided to trade for star guard Dejounte Murray, in hopes of becoming one of the most competitive teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading Danilo Gallinari and multiple first-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, sources tell ESPN.
Young is averaging 26.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 10.3 assists while shooting 42.8% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc. One notable difference with his numbers this season is that his efficiency from the 3-point area has dropped significantly. Last season, he was making 38.2% of his 3-pointers.
Can Trae Young save the Hawks' season?
The outcome of Atlanta's season is a reflection of Trae Young's leadership this season. Last season, they were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Miami Heat. Many expect them to return from their playoff disappointment, but they've struggled mightily this season.
Young is the team's leader, on and off the court, as he's their best player. While he's been the source of their success in recent years, the one-time All-NBA has also been the cause of their struggles so far.
For one, he's solely focused on being the focal point of the offense, which isn't a bad idea. But it eventually becomes a bad idea as Young relies heavily on his long-range shots. This season, it hasn't been effective for him or the team.
Secondly, he's a defensive liability, often getting beat by whoever he's guarding. Young is slow and too short on defense for other teams to force switches on him to generate points.
Bad news: Trae Young is still a disaster on defense
Watched tape with a hopeful eye—but it’s brutal. Annihilated by screens, back-door cuts, transition airhead, stuck on the ballhandler’s hip, lazy closeouts, gives up historically easy post-buckets, too small to contest…tough https://t.co/qN5uWQpMad
If the Hawks star gets to address his issues on both ends of the court, the 2022-23 season for his team could result in success. It's time for Young to step up his game and show true leadership.
Also read: Trae Young reflects on Atlanta Hawks’ statement win over LA Clippers - “We’re going to make our runs, they are too”