Hawks open to trading Trae Young

Is the Trae Young era coming to an end in Atlanta?

Young is once again being mentioned in NBA trade rumors, with the Hawks said to be taking a hard look at a potential deal that would land them Dallas Mavericks star big man Anthony Davis.

NBA insider Marc Stein raised a concern about the Hawks’ outlook amid their interest in Davis and Young’s leverage. That leverage, of course, is Young’s massive $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season.

Here’s what Stein wrote about Young and the Hawks’ possibility of trading the talented point guard:

“There is a growing belief leaguewide that the Hawks are more open to trading him away than they’ve ever been, but what happens to their payroll if no such trade materializes and Young winds up exercising that option? Can the Hawks dare to find out by trading for Davis this winter without Young exiting at the same time?”

You can read Stein’s entire article here.

Although the Hawks are showing increased interest in trading away Young as they pursue Davis, the Mavericks are not keen on including Young in such a deal, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

For the Hawks to get Davis and let go of Young in one mega transaction, they may need at least another team to join the fray.

Young has been with the Hawks since he entered the NBA in 2018, and while he’s become one of the brightest stars in the league, he’s led Atlanta to the playoffs just three times, including two first-round exits.