The Trae Young era in Atlanta could be coming to an end soon. The writing was on the wall when the team couldn't come to an agreement on an extension with their star point guard over the summer. Speculation has grown more rampant as the Hawks have compiled a 2-8 record in games that he's played in this year while going 15-12 in games that he's missed.
A deal now seems imminent. The Stein Line's Marc Stein reported on Monday evening that the Wizards have emerged as a legitimate trade destination for Young. ESPN's Shams Charania soon added that Young and the Hawks were working together to find a trade.
Young is a difficult fit due to his $46 million owed this season and a player option for $49 million next year. On the other hand, he is a four-time All-Star who is still averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in a down year. There will be some teams interested in his talent, at the right price. Here are the ones that headline that list.
Trae Young trade destinations
4. Sacramento Kings
Offseason addition Dennis Schroder was supposed to solidify the starting point guard spot for the Kings this season. Instead, the team has been a total disaster and Schroder lost his starting spot just 13 games into the season.
Sacramento needs to completely reshape their team. Most of their roster is reportedly available. They thrived playing in an up-tempo system with De'Aaron Fox, and Young could get them back to those roots. Trae is one of the best throw-ahead passers in the game.
Zach LaVine could be a piece that comes back in a Young deal, although the Hawks seem reticent to add long-term money and LaVine has a player option for $49 million next season that he will likely exercise. The Kings would have to throw in significant draft compensation in order to make it worth Atlanta's while.
That's probably not prudent for the Kings, who need to hit on draft picks rather than trade them away. But their ownership has never been one for a patient approach.
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3. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are in Year Six of the LaMelo Ball experiment, and they're still a team that looks lottery-bound. That's not all on Ball, who has played well this season, but it is fair to wonder if they need to move in another direction.
There aren't a ton of suitors out there for Ball, and there aren't a ton for Young either. Both players are great offensive forces with very real defensive limitations. And Ball has a long injury history that depresses his value even further.
A challenge trade could work for both of these teams. Sometimes, a fresh start is all a player needs. This could be a win-win for both sides if Ball and Young can find a better fit and more motivation to play hard on both sides of the ball.
2. Dallas Mavericks
The biggest problem plaguing the Hawks hasn't been Young. Rather, it's been the lack of availability of Kristaps Porzingis. They've been a great team when the big man has suited up, but he's already missed 12 games this year. And aside from breakout starter Onyeka Okongwu, the team does not have great depth at the position.
Anthony Davis would solve that problem, along with helping to prop up a defense that has been plummeting down the rankings over the past month. There has been smoke that the Hawks have been pursuing the All-Defensive big man, who would make a ton of sense on their roster.
The problem here is that despite badly needing a point guard, the Mavericks don't seem all that enthusiastic about giving Young the keys to their offense. They're much more interested in the pick owed to the Hawks from the Pelicans, which the Hawks would be crazy to give up for Davis.
A trade between the two sides could work out, but it wouldn't involve that Pelicans pick and Young would probably need to go to a third team.
1. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are sorely lacking competent point guard play. There were hopes that Bub Carrington could follow up on a promising rookie season and solidify that role. Instead, he's taken a huge step backwards.
Young would instantly help Washington improve from an offense that was ranked 27th heading into Monday's games. He's a terrific passer that would make life a lot easier for prospects like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George. And his poor individual defense couldn't make the team much worse than it's No. 29 ranking.
The low cost here would be the big selling point for the Wizards. CJ McCollum is on an expiring deal. At age 34, he isn't part of the team's long-term plans. McCollum and salary filler would probably beat any other offer out there. The Hawks might even need to add draft compensation in this construction, according to Stein.
The Wizards could get a relatively low-risk look at Young for the next year-and-a-half before deciding what to do with him. And the Hawks could add some much-needed shooting to a roster that was expected to contend for home court advantage in the East playoffs. It's a deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides.
MORE: Why Hawks might trade Trae Young to one of the NBA's worst teams