Trae Young Trade Talk: Hawks Listening

Merlin sees Atlanta quietly open to offers for Trae Young — not a sell-off, but a listening stance. An Eastern exec told ESPN that “Atlanta is good enough to keep Trae and be good and make the playoffs,” yet the Hawks “will at least pick up the phone” for packages built around the Pelicans’ 2026 pick plus Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Zach Risacher. Young is sidelined with a sprained MCL, under contract this year with a player option next, and extension talks haven’t moved — so the club can gauge his trade value while the team steers through early-season results. Merlin notes the tug-of-war: Young is the offensive “engine” — 11.6 assists leader last season and a career 25/9.8 scorer — but defensive limits and contract reality make him costly. Trading him could reset Atlanta around its young core and an unprotected pick, yet any suitor must contemplate a new extension. The decision will hinge on on-court chemistry and how the Hawks perform without their star.