The regular season is not even over yet and the NBA world is already anticipating a blockbuster summer for the Atlanta Hawks (24-29).
After a quiet deadline, many around the league expect them to resume some if not all of their previously held trade talks.
And there may not be anyone who is off the table; not even Trae Young.
“The Hawks' inaction is hardly considered permanent,” The Stein Line's Marc Stein wrote on February 12. “They've certainly convinced various rival teams that a Dejounte In/Trae Out course is going to be legitimately considered.”
Stein goes on to say the Hawks have yet to make a final determination about which star guard they want to keep.
He adds that the Hawks’ decision to hold onto Murray at the deadline is fueling speculation.
This follows a report from Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer to the same effect.
“There are several front offices that listened to Atlanta’s pre-deadline chatter and came away from conversations with the Hawks of the belief Trae Young could become available for trade this summer — depending on Atlanta’s outcome for the remainder of this campaign,” Fischer wrote on February 8.
Young is averaging 27.1 points, 10.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds this season. He is on track to lead the NBA in total assists for the third consecutive season
It should be noted that Young has not said anything publicly to suggest he wants out.
To the contrary, he has stood on the idea that he can win a championship in Atlanta despite some of his former peers suggesting otherwise. The “winning” aspect did come up again, however, following the Hawks’ win over the Philadelphia 76ers on February 9.
“Not a lot of people have been able to … be with one team for even six years," Young told reporters postgame. “So to be able to be doing what I've done in one place so far, it's meant a lot to me, and I just want to continue to do it. But I want the wins to continue to follow and get back to where I've been before – even further.”
Spurs ‘top perceived list’ of potential trade suitors for Hawks’ Trae Young
Stein puts the San Antonio Spurs atop the list of potential trade destinations for Young if the Hawks explore a trade. They have been linked to Young in a potential trade before.
“A more interesting question is if the Spurs and Hawks would have interest in a deal for Young,” Action Network’s Matt Moore wrote on January 10. “League sources have suggested that Young's camp would be open … to pairing Young with Victor Wembanyama”.
Stein notes the Los Angeles Lakers are another potential destination with a trio of first-round picks to potentially trade for another star.
Young could be their replacement for LeBron James who can become a free agent this summer.
The Hawks still have 29 games left in the regular season, including what they have to hope will be an extended showing in the postseason, starting with the Chicago Bulls on Monday. It’s fair to wonder how many of their plans will have changed by then if they can successfully make a run.