Trae Younger and the Atlanta Hawks are headed for a divorce. The 2 sides are working collectively to discover a deal forward of Feb.’s NBA commerce deadline, based on ESPN insider Shams Charania. Younger has spent his total profession in Atlanta since being the No. 5 general decide within the 2018 NBA Draft. He holds a $48.9 million participant possibility for subsequent season, and could be a free agent if he turns it down or after 2026-27.
Younger missed a 22-game stretch with a sprained MCL earlier this season, and the Hawks appeared to have a greater components with out him. The Hawks are 15-12 with out Younger within the lineup, and never surprisingly they seemed a lot better defensively when he was out. Younger continues to be one of the crucial proficient offensive creators within the sport, and he might have massive worth to a workforce in search of a lead engine who can mix scoring and playmaking. There’s a transparent frontrunner to land Younger proper now, and it would come as a shock in the event you haven’t been carefully following the rumors.
The Washington Wizards are “legit potential commerce vacation spot” for Younger, based on long-time inside Marc Stein. The Wizards personal the fourth worst document within the NBA proper now, and they’re slated to have tons of cap area this summer time. Washington continues to be hoping to hit the lottery forward of a loaded 2026 NBA Draft, however they need to really feel like Younger might work properly with any of the top-three prospects in Duke ahead Cameron Boozer, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and BYU wing A.J. Dybantsa.
The Wizards have been dropping this season, however they’ve seen some good improvement out of their younger core. Alex Sarr, the No. 2 general decide within the 2024 draft, has taken an enormous leap ahead as a scorer and nonetheless tasks as a high-level defender long-term. Second-year wing Kyshawn George has taken on extra playmaking duties this yr, and third-year wing Bilal Coulibaly has seemed higher in current weeks since coming back from harm. Add in rookie shooter Tre Johnson, who Washington chosen at No. 5 general within the 2025 draft, and you’ll see why the Wizards could be thinking about Younger.
Younger is a brilliant proficient on-ball creator and one of many NBA’s greatest passers. The Wizards’ younger core is generally made out of play-finishers. Younger is a play creator who will help speed up the event of gamers like Sarr and Johnson by setting them up for straightforward buckets whereas nonetheless having loads of scoring gravity on his personal. The truth that Washington has largely drafted lengthy and cell gamers who mission properly defensively long-term can also be match to cowl up Younger’s defensive limitations.
The framework for a deal between the Hawks and Wizards would begin with C.J. McCollum’s expiring wage going to Atlanta. I threw in two younger gamers in third-year wing Cam Whitmore and rookie wing Will Riley going to Washington. Add in a draft decide at your individual accord.
Who else might be thinking about Trae Younger? Listed below are 5 extra suitors:
Miami Warmth: The Warmth are all the time trying to find stars, and Younger undoubtedly nonetheless counts as one. This deal would enable Miami to maintain all their picks plus blossoming second-year massive man Kel’el Ware.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves’ seek for some extent guard subsequent to Anthony Edwards has been an ongoing storyline for years, however sadly it doesn’t seem to be their daring commerce up for Rob Dillingham goes to repay. Younger would totally unlock Edwards to play off the board, and Minnesota has the defensive would possibly to cowl up his deficiencies there. It’s exhausting to make the salaries match, so it would must be a multi-team commerce.
Brooklyn Nets: Michael Porter Jr. is enjoying out of his thoughts for a foul Nets workforce. If Brooklyn doesn’t just like the potential draft compensation on the market on the commerce market, would they swing for a star like Younger? It will at the least deliver extra pleasure within the constructing. This deal might work for each side if the Hawks like what they’re seeing out of MPJ.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets have a lot measurement and physicality that it appears like they’re the very best workforce to cowl up Younger’s playmaking warts. Houston’s halfcourt offense continues to be closely reliant on offensive rebounding, and including Younger would give them an ideal passer to doubtlessly arrange some simpler buckets. A deal constructed across the injured Fred VanVleet for Younger is a good start line.
Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers have been completely horrible earlier than their current profitable streak. Whereas I’m in favor of LA buying and selling Kawhi Leonard now, possibly they’d make a daring transfer so as to add a youthful star in Younger. Right here’s a loopy one for you that may most likely by no means occur:
The very best wager right here is the Wizards. Anticipate a commerce that Trae Younger to D.C. within the coming weeks (or possibly even days) with out a lot draft compensation going again to Atlanta.
