Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Stacey King gives his verdict on whether Trae Young will be traded this season

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Luca Rosano | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 7:10 PM ET

The Atlanta Hawks continue to struggle with Trae Young back in the lineup.

Trae Young returned to the Atlanta Hawks’ lineup in December after missing 22 contests with a sprained right MCL.

Since his return, Atlanta is 0-5 with him in the lineup. The Hawks snapped their seven-game losing streak against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, but Young did not play due to a right quad contusion.

The Hawks’ struggles with Young have been alarming and it’s created a lot of trade buzz around him.

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Stacey King gets honest about the Trae Young trade rumors

There have been a ton of rumors about whether the Hawks will trade Young before the trade deadline.

The Hawks appear to be a worse team with Young in the lineup. The emergence of Jalen Johnson gives them a new young star to build around.

However, Stacey King doesn’t buy the idea that Atlanta will trade their All-Star point guard.

“News flash, the owner loves him.

“He’s not going anywhere.

“When the owner loves you and the owner’s son loves you, Trae Young is not going anywhere.”

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Will the Atlanta Hawks trade Trae Young?

The Hawks are becoming open to discussing trades for Young, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

However, the market for the four-time All-Star is considered minimal ahead of the trade deadline and the Hawks could address Young’s future next offseason, Amick noted.

Young and the Hawks failed to agree on a contract extension prior to the start of the regular season. Young holds a $48.9-million player option for 2026-27, which he can decline next summer to become a free agent.

The Hawks came into the season expected to be a contender, but they have had a rough start to their campaign, sitting at 16-19.

Some teams needing a point guard like the Miami Heat or Minnesota Timberwolves could go all-in on Young or the Hawks could look to make a trade for another star like Anthony Davis.

It will certainly be interesting to see if the Hawks trade Young or hold onto him past the deadline.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: