With so many unknown’s surrounding the Atlanta Hawks entering this offseason, speculation about their plans is rampant.
Among the many potential outcomes is the possibility they trade Trae Young. He has not pushed for a trade publicly, instead pushing to remain competitive. But rival teams expect the Hawks to explore their options this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey suggests the Miami Heat hold a “dream” trade package.
Specifically, Bailey suggests a combination featuring 2022 Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro and one or both of recent first-round picks Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic.
“If … two or three teams get in on the Young sweepstakes and drive the price up, the Miami Heat's young core pieces would be about as well as Atlanta could hope to do,” Bailey wrote on May 22. “Plugging two or three of those players into a rotation that already includes Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu could set up Atlanta for some sustainable success.”
Herro, 24, was a first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) in 2019. He averaged a career-high 20.8 points on 55.8% true shooting. He also connected on 39.6% of his 7.9 deep attempts per game. Those numbers would have ranked fourth and third, respectively, on the Hawks last season.
He is entering Year 2 of a four-year, $120 million contract with a $29 million cap hit in 2024-25.
Tyler Herro led the charge in Miami's double-overtime thriller in Atlanta with 33 PTS!
— NBA (@NBA) April 10, 2024
MIA sits .5 GB PHI for the 7th seed 👀 pic.twitter.com/ypIKrqFtmI
The Heat selected Jovic with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2022 draft. He set career-highs with 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and shooting 39.9% from downtown.
Jaquez is a member of the All-Rookie team this year. Selected with the No. 18 overall pick in this year’s draft, he averaged 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals this season. He is not a strong shooter but is a versatile big-bodied competitor on the perimeter.
Landing all three would cut roughly $8 million off the Hawks’ books but would be tough to complete under the new CBA.
It would also arm a division rival with their would-be former face of the franchise. While divisions don’t hold as much weight in the NBA as other sports, they would be frequent opponents.
That is a lofty proposition for General Manager Landry Fields as he embarks on what has become a potentially career-defining offseason, not only because of Young. But also because of the No. 1 pick.
‘Realistic’ scenario brings Lakers assets to Hawks
For his “realistic” trade scenario, Bailey notes the Lakers as the team to watch. The two sides held talks regarding Dejounte Murray ahead of the deadline but a gap in the compensation saw talks break down.
The situation could play out differently this offseason, particularly if Young is available.
Bailey also listed Young as a “realistic” target for the San Antonio Spurs, giving the same designation for Murray and the Miami Heat.
That would lessen whatever return the Hawks get, though it doesn’t do much to allay potential concerns about bolstering a rival. A rival that has already proven a challenge in recent years and was a playoff team this past season.