2: Trae Young
The Trae Young trade rumor mill has been out in full force. After trading for 2022 All-Star Dejounte Murray last summer, the Hawks struggled in 2022-23 but still managed to post a 41-41 record to secure a spot in the play-in tournament. Atlanta advanced past the play-in but was ousted by Boston in the first round.
Young and the Hawks had their fair share of drama this past season that included a rift between the guard and former head coach Nate McMillan, who was fired midseason and replaced with Quin Snyder. The move was viewed as a way to appease Young but that might not be enough to keep him in Atlanta. He signed a five-year, $207 million extension in 2021 and since then, the Hawks have suffered back-to-back first-round playoff exists.
Young still has three full seasons left on his current contract. He’s due $40 million in 2023-24, $43 million in 2024-25, and $46 million in 2025-26. He has a $48.9 million early termination option in the 2026 offseason that he could use to become a free agent. Is that really a contract that the Knicks should want to take on, especially with the new CBA?
The guard’s offensive inconsistencies as well as his lack of defensive presence are two other reasons why New York should pass on a Young trade. The Knicks need shooting and Young is a career 35.1% three-point shooter and shot 33.5% from deep this past season. He wouldn’t help much in that area. A Brunson-Young backcourt is an idea that shouldn’t be explored.
Let a team like the Lakers be the ones to land Trae Young if he is traded this summer.