Trae Young Nears Return, Hawks Trade Radar

Trae Young is "expected to return to practice next week" as he "continues to increase his reconditioning activities" after the MCL sprain on Oct. 29. He has missed 21 games while the Hawks went 12 9 without him, and reserves like Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander Walker have stepped up amid Kristaps Porziņģis’s own injury troubles. Young averaged 17.8 points and 7.8 assists in five games this season, but his contract runs only through 2025 26 with a likely decline of the 2026 27 option, putting his long term future in question. Merlin sees Atlanta at a true crossroads. The young core and a swap pick with New Orleans give the Hawks a clear path to rebuild or reload. Rival teams may hesitate to pay much for a pending free agent who is often critiqued for defense, so the return timeline will shape whether the Hawks push for a playoff run or trade for future pieces.