As the NBA offseason begins, trade rumors about Trae Young are starting to emerge. The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly considering dismantling their backcourt, and for the first time since he entered the league, it appears he is not safe from being moved.
Some believe Young had the upside of being one of the greatest point guards the game has ever seen. And while that's certainly not the case, he has been one of the leaders in both points and assists since joining the Union, although his lack of defensive effort and tendency to turn the ball over also raises some questions.
Trae Young trade: Five possible destinations
However, he is still a young man – no pun intended – and an entertaining player to watch. So, even if he overstays his welcome in Georgia, multiple teams could still be interested in his services. Here, we'll take a look at some potential destinations.
heat
Pat Riley may have lost his mojo, as the Miami Heat have failed to land a star in free agency or via trade for years now. They clearly needed an upgrade at the goalkeeping position, which is why they replaced them with Thierry Rozier last season.
Young will be the scorer they need next to Jimmy Butler. He took pressure off his shoulders as a playmaker, and could stretch the floor with his shooting. Also, Erik Spoelstra may be one of the few coaches who can hide him on defense.
Charm
The NBA's luxury tax is making it harder for teams to trade big-name players, as the new CBA prevents them from accumulating multiple lucrative contracts. This makes the Orlando Magic a solid player for any available star.
The Magic have enough assets and salary cap flexibility to make the deal work. Although they had a surplus of guards, this also meant that they did not find the main guard they were looking for. Jalen Suggs can help him defensively, and they need more shooting.
Lakers
The Lakers have been in the mix with Trae Young for a long time now. However, as much as it seemed like a lock to trade for the Lakers, Young recently decided to part ways with Klutch Sports.
With Rich Paul out of the mix, things could get tougher for the Purple and Gold. They may not have the valuable assets to convince the Hawks to give them their star point guard, and compatibility with LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be questionable.
Swans
The New Orleans Pelicans have been desperate for a point guard since the departure of Lonzo Ball. CJ McCollum can do the point, but he's more of an off-ball shooting guard than a true point guard. That's what makes Young a perfect fit for this team.
More than that, Young is two things the Hawks need: he's durable and he's a solid performer in the playoffs. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are not.
Tottenham
The rest of the league could have a lot of trouble if the San Antonio Spurs trade Trae Young. He has strong ties to Texas, so this makes sense for him, and from a basketball standpoint, it could also be nice to watch.
Spurs have a lot of young talent, but they desperately need someone to lead the attack and be a secondary scorer alongside Victor Wimpanyama. Wembanyama requires a lot of attention, which means Young will be open on the perimeter and vice versa. They will be deadly in pick and roll.
At the end of the day, Trae Young comes in with some baggage. His personality and lack of defensive prowess are legitimate concerns. However, he is so talented that teams don't give him a chance.
