NBA: Hawks, Trae Young mutually exploring trade options

The Atlanta Hawks and four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young are reportedly exploring trade options, according to multiple media outlets.

Since Atlanta chose not to offer Young a contract extension last offseason when he became eligible, the Hawks and Young have remained in contact about his future with the organization, ESPN reported. Recent discussions have reportedly intensified over the past week. Marc Stein of The Stein Line noted Monday that the Washington Wizards have emerged as a “legitimate potential trade destination” for Young.

Young, 27, has spent his entire NBA career with Atlanta after being acquired in a draft-and-trade deal with Dallas during the 2018 NBA Draft as the fifth overall pick. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (4,837) and three-pointers made (1,295).

His career average of 9.8 assists per game ranks third in NBA history, trailing only Magic Johnson and John Stockton. A third-team All-NBA selection in the 2021-22 season, Young led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020-21. However, Atlanta failed to advance past the first round in the following two seasons and did not escape the play-in tournament in the last two campaigns.

This season, Young has missed 28 of Atlanta’s 38 games and is currently sidelined with a quad contusion. In his limited action, he is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game, both the lowest since his rookie season. The Hawks have struggled in his presence, posting a 2-8 record with him in the lineup and 15-13 without him following Monday’s 118-100 loss at Toronto.

Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson’s emergence has helped fill the scoring gap while Young is sidelined. In his fifth NBA season, Johnson is posting career highs with 24 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game.

Over his eight-season career and 493 games—all starts—Young has averaged 25.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and one steal per game.

—Field Level Media/Reuters