3-team offseason trade proposal reshapes Hawks around All-Star

Trae Young, Victor Wembanyama would be a dynamic pairing

Trades don’t happen in a vacuum and the other hypothetical participants would make out considerably better than the Hawks in this scenario, at least in the interim.

Victor Wembanyama has already more than justified his status as the No. 1 overall pick. But the Spurs lack a true playmaker to feed him the ball like he should be. Wembanyama is putting up historic numbers despite Spurs guards – including Jones at times – missing him far too often.

That won’t happen with Young whose preternatural passing ability has led him to lead the NBA in total assists for two years running and sits second in assists per game this season.

He could also put out a full highlight reel just of passes to his bigs over the year.

What Young has not had is a player of Wembanyama’s ilk – no one has. But even at their respective peaks, Clint Capela and John Collins didn’t blend the skills that Wembanyama possesses. Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu don’t have the size.

“One exec said Atlanta discussed a potential Young trade with San Antonio before last week’s deadline,” Beck wrote on February 14.

The Spurs also showed interest in reacquiring Murray, which suggests they want an upgrade.

They’d be giving up an unprecedented amount of resources, particularly for this organization, to acquire Young. But highlights of Young and Wembanyama working together would be a nightly fixture on top 10 countdowns.

Adding a capable backup in Jevon Carter along with a first-round draft pick, albeit lottery-protected, would easily make this a win for the Spurs.

Grade: A