3 blockbuster NBA trades for the Hawks to get Trae Young a co-star

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 26: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 26, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 26: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 26, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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Hawks, NBA Trades, Trae Young
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 14: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks draws a foul from Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Last season, the Atlanta Hawks went on a massive playoff run that saw them reach the Eastern Conference Finals. They were far more successful than almost everyone expected them to be.

Trae Young took over Madison Square Garden and the entire country for a few weeks, it seemed like. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone as well for the team this season.

They’re on the outside of the play-in looking in right now, and not everything is clicking in the same way it was last year. Their GM is even on record discussing how they should have done some things differently this offseason.

Could some NBA trades be in the near future for Atlanta? What are some NBA trades the Hawks could pull off to get Trae Young a true co-star in Atlanta?

3 NBA trades for the Hawks to get Trae Young a co-star: Ben Simmons

Hawks receive: Ben Simmons

76ers receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter, 2022 First-Round Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick

The 76ers want to get an All-Star in return for Ben Simmons, but as his value drops, they may have to be more willing to accept less. That is where the Atlanta Hawks should swoop in.

Philadelphia would be getting a quality scorer as well as two young wings who could grow with Joel Embiid moving forward. All-in-all, this isn’t a terrible package if they want to compete now and in the future.

For the Hawks, they’d be pairing Trae Young (a subpar defender) with one of the best defenders in the NBA. Simmons could run the power forward position and be a secondary initiator from the post.

Putting one of the league’s best offensive players next to one of the best defensive players would be a huge win for the Hawks. This could immediately propel them into serious playoff contention.