Latest Intel suggests Atlanta's finally ready to make a once untouchable star available

After deciding not to make a major trade deadline move It appears that the Atlanta Hawks may be open to big changes this summer. They were reportedly open for business with each of their players aside from stars Trae Young and Jalen Johnson but now Marc Stein reports that they may be willing to trade him in the offseason.

If true, that would be a huge shift and the right call for a franchise that seems stuck in mediocrity after several bad moves. Young has the most trade value on the Hawks and with Atlanta not in control of their draft picks for each of the next three years, they are in need of a reset.

Trading Trae Young may be necessary for the Atlanta Hawks.

Young is under contract for the next three seasons and could reasonably fetch up to four first-round picks. Bottoming out won't do them any good since the San Antonio Spurs own their picks outright in 2025 and 2027 with swap rights in 2026.

However, the Spurs, who are looking for a long-term answer at point guard, have reportedly expressed interest in Young, which could lead to a potential deal this summer. While trading back each of those selections might seem like the framework for a possible trade, the Spurs could instead look to hold onto at least one of those picks and instead offer Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, Chicago's protected 2025 first, the least favorable of their 2025 and 2027 firsts, and Atlanta's 2026 back.

Doing so would give Atlanta a young starter, three firsts, and control of their 2026 pick-back. Of course, San Antonio wouldn't be the only team interested, though their owning Atlanta's picks makes them a strong candidate. Another team could be the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been linked to Young and may have just enough to get a deal done.

They will be able to offer three future first-round picks as well as D'Angelo Russell, who will be on an expiring contract next season, Jalen-Hood Scfino, and Rui Hachimura for Young. Whether either deal is enough to persuade the Hawks remains to be seen, as is whether they will actually be open to moving him, but Young could net them significant assets if they are.