Is It Time For Hawks To Trade Trae Young?

When it concerns Trae Young, let’s remember this — the Atlanta Hawks were a series far from the NBA Finals 3 years back.

But the Hawks lost to the ultimate champ Milwaukee Bucks in those Eastern Conference Finals.

So Young has actually been a winner. But the Hawks sure haven’t been recently, the most recent example being available in Wednesday’s play-in loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Atlanta ended the season with 7 straight losses. Young will unquestionably be pursued this offseason, with the Los Angeles Lakers (obviously) and San Antonio Spurs stated to be extremely interested.

If Young does certainly appeared, then a lot of others will take part. But perhaps just a couple of, too.

“Many sources around the NBA believe Young will be on the move this summer — assuming Atlanta can find a buyer,” composed Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. “Not every team needs a point guard, let alone a small one (6-foot-1, 164 pounds) at $43 million next season. Several just don’t like his game.”

For the record, a source informed Hoops Wire that the Lakers view Young as a 3rd star who can assist them promote a champion together with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But is Young actually a “third” star? He’s still No. 1 in Atlanta, with Dejounte Murray the 1A.

And the Hawks invested most of the season listening to deals for Murray before choosing to stick it out. Coach Quin Snyder, who has a great deal of say, has actually made it apparent he’d like to keep both Young and Murray.

But the Hawks are spinning their wheels as presently built.

Offensively, there’s no questioning Young’s video game. He stays among the most vibrant gamers in the NBA. 

During the routine season, Young balanced 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 10.8 helps this season, shooting 43.0% from the field, 37.3% on 3-pointers and 85.5% from the free-throw line. He tape-recorded 37 double-doubles in 54 video games. 

But the Hawks were every bit as excellent in the video games he missed out on (12-11 general) as the video games in which he played (24-35). But there are concerns about his defense, or absence thereof, and mainly, the in shape together with Murray.

“Young wants to run spread pick-and-roll every time down the floor,” composed Sam Quinn of CBS Sports. “His priorities, in order, are to get a layup, get fouled, get a clean floater, get a clean 3-pointer, throw a clean lob or kick it out to an open shooter. This is antithetical to Murray’s desire to dribble too much and settle for contested mid-range jumpers. The partnership might be able to survive a “your turn, my turn” compromise if either corresponded shooters off the catch or excited movers off of the ball. Neither have actually been.”

Personally, I believe the Hawks need to keep both Murray and Young and make the remainder of the lineup offered. A 3rd piece might assist the Hawks go locations. A plan of De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic might not gather you a star, however a gamer who fits. Who that gamer might be … I have no concept.

Or perhaps it is time to deal young, keep most others, and land some actually good pieces in return. Then you develop around Murray, the brand-new guy (or guys), and see if you can develop on the .500 record this previous season when Young was on the sidelines.

Either method, the Hawks have a significant choice to make this offseason, and it might suggest moving the face of the franchise. Some will inform you it’s time.