Despite reaching the Play-In Tournament as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks had much bigger goals entering the season. Especially after trading four first-round picks for Dejounte Murray last June.
We already saw signs of their discontent by firing Nate McMillan after a 29-30 start, later hiring Quin Snyder, who led a 10-11 finish with a 2-0 record by interim coach Joe Prunty sandwiched in between the coaching vets.
Now, likely depending on their success in the Play-In Tourney and possibly the playoffs should they qualify, the Hawks could be considering shaking up their roster in an even bigger way this offseason.
While general manager Landry Fields took over roster duties last June, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, team ownership has now given the Hawks GM permission to consider trading Young and anyone else on the roster.
This does not mean the Hawks will actively look to trade Young or that he’s on the trade block, but instead of hanging up each time teams ask about him, they may now actually listen to offers.
- Trae Young stats this season: 26.2 PPG, 10.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 42 FG%, 33 3PT%
If true, expect plenty of organizations to at least inquire about the potential acquisition cost. Chances are, the Hawks would want to recoup their lost draft picks from the Murray trade while also landing another piece who could develop into a star.
Young, who’s still just 24 and is a two-time All-Star, remains one of the top-scoring guards in the NBA, and he has limitless range. Yet, the former Oklahoma star also has his own drawbacks, such as not offering much help on defense, where his 6-foot-1, 146-pound frame offers little resistance. But that doesn’t mean he won’t draw plenty of interest.
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