1 Dream, 1 nightmare, and 1 realistic Hawks Trae Young trade after the draft

Hawks realistic trade scenario keeps Trae Young, build out roster

The most realistic trade scenario for Young is that it does not happen, at least not yet. The Hawks have indeed built a roster featuring length and versatility. Their moves have even positioned them to hold on to some of their pricier veteran role players.

They just have to be sure they are on the same page as Young.

Young previously lamented not winning more.

The Hawks made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 after firing former head coach Lloyd Pierce. 

They have taken steps back since then, losing in the first round in back-to-back years before missing the playoff entirely this past season.  Hawks general manager Landry Fields has been non-commital publicly about which direction he plans to take the team.

The Hawks missed the postseason for the first time since 2019-20.

“I don't feel like I have any – very much time to waste,” Young said. “I just want to continue to play at a high level, and I feel like I can do that and play at a high level and win.”

With little control over their draft future, the Hawks’ best bet – and potentially their most likely path forward – at this point is to see how they can further reconfigure the roster around Young, Johnson, and Risacher.