What does the future hold for Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young? This is the question that will dominate Hawks fans' minds this offseason and set up Atlanta for endless trade speculation.
In an age of player mobility, it is understandable that Young is getting this much attention. Since the team's 2021 run to the Eastern Conference Finals, the franchise has labored in mediocrity for nearly half a decade. Play-in exits and underwhelming first-round series are as far as Atlanta has gotten.
The franchise has an exciting young core, one that appears to be a year or two away from contending. Young has exercised great patience as the franchise has slowly shipped away every notable teammate he's had.
With this in mind, it wouldn't be shocking to see either the Hawks or Trae ready to move on.
Atlanta Should Be Willing to Do Whatever It Takes to Build Around Trae Young
From the Hawks' perspective, the franchise should be willing to build around Young and finally make a splashy offseason move. To this point, Trae's most impactful teammates have been John Collins and a player Atlanta spent their future on who plays Young's position in Dejounte Murray. The Hawks haven't done Trae any favors in building a cohesive roster or finding the right fit at head coach.
If Trae is willing to return to Atlanta for another season, now is the time for the Hawks to attempt to make winning moves. You have great young pieces and simply need to go out and find a backup big man and a reliable second scorer.
If the team wants to set their sights high, one could speculate Devin Booker or Kevin Durant as potentially attractive trade targets. Either player would make Atlanta an instant contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks must decide this when evaluating Trae's future. Does the franchise want to win? As silly as the question might seem, look back at the team's moves over the last five years. They all seem to accept mediocrity, failing to chase big-name players who could help them turn the page.
Looking at the current NBA playoff field, there isn't one team in the tournament that doesn't have a second option superior to Trae Young's. Atlanta must wake up and realize that bringing back the veteran point guard and a young, promising core will no longer cut it.
Atlanta is overdue to pick a lane and either give Trae a real chance to win or allow the veteran to find a new landing spot and begin a true rebuild.