With his contract situation still unsettled, speculation around star point guard Trae Young’s future with the Atlanta Hawks is intensifying. According to Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton, Atlanta should consider parting ways with its franchise centerpiece via a forward-thinking blockbuster trade.
Entering Year 8, Young is owed $46 million for the 2025-26 campaign. After that, he holds a $49 million player option for the following season, which he could decline to test 2026 free agency.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon questioned whether Atlanta and Young are in store for a “long-term marriage,” with no contract extension negotiations underway. However, Hutton foresees a deal with a fellow Eastern Conference playoff hopeful resolving the uncertainty.
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NBA Analyst Proposes Trae Young-to-Raptors Trade To Help Hawks Build for Future
On Wednesday, Hutton outlined a trade that would send Young to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a package consisting of future draft capital and young contributors.
Proposed Deal
Hawks Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Collin Murray-Boyles, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick
Raptors Receive: Trae Young
According to the analyst, such a shake-up would allow Atlanta to avoid potentially losing Young for nothing while securing meaningful assets.
“Atlanta could find itself in a tough spot should Young decline his player option following this season. Moving the star point guard ahead of the NBA trade deadline presents an opportunity for the Hawks to get a return for their loss, as no reported progress has been made towards a new deal,” Hutton wrote.
Although not as prolific a scorer or playmaker as Young, Quickley would make a serviceable lead guard replacement. Meanwhile, Murray-Boyles, the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft, could offer two-way upside as one of the top defenders and post scorers in his class. Toronto’s unprotected 2027 and 2029 first-rounders could also prove pivotal, especially if Young doesn’t stick around.
Hutton added that the Hawks’ shortcomings since their 2021 playoff success could make them more inclined to sell high on the four-time All-Star and prioritize their long-term outlook.
“Atlanta has shown gradual regression since the team’s Eastern Conference finals appearance in 2021, missing the playoffs in each of the last two seasons,” Hutton pointed out. “Moving on from their superstar could allow the Hawks to stockpile draft capital to continue building for the future.”
On the flip side, the writer views the Raptors acquiring Young as another win-now move that would form a dynamic star trio alongside forwards Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.
“The Big 3 of Young, Barnes, and Ingram would likely catapult the Raptors into consistent playoff contention, with potential as title threats as the trio builds rapport on the court,” Hutton speculated.
Coming off a 30-win season, Toronto hasn’t made the postseason since 2022, with pressure mounting for its rebuild to yield on-court results.
Possible Hurdles in Young-to-Raptors Deal
While Toronto may be intrigued by landing Young to expedite its return to competitiveness, Atlanta has also made contention-driven roster additions this offseason. These include skilled rim-protector Kristaps Porziņģis, 3-and-D wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
Such moves suggest that the Hawks may still believe in Young despite not extending him. Meanwhile, other offseason reports have indicated that the franchise likely wants to evaluate its new-look roster before deciding on its top player’s future.
As such, it would probably take a very slow start for Atlanta to bail on Young before the 2026 trade deadline. In that scenario, the Raptors would likely need firm assurances that he would re-sign with them before surrendering major assets for his services, complicating any potential deal.