Hawks Shopping Trae Young: 5 Trade Fits

The Hawks entered the 2025-26 season having "been unable to reach an extension agreement" with four-time All‑Star Trae Young, leaving his future uncertain and prompting trade chatter. That matters because Young is both Atlanta’s primary playmaker and a $46M salary that makes deals tricky — teams may want him, but apron and contract math will limit suitors and shapes Atlanta’s short‑ and long‑term plans. Merlin sees a market of fits and frustrations: one‑for‑one ideas (LaMelo), young‑guard swaps (Ivey, Coby White), and multiteam maneuvers involving picks and veterans. Each proposal trades immediate star power for cap flexibility, youth or draft capital. If Atlanta’s postseason hopes fade, the needle will move toward a deal; if they surprise, patience could win out.