The Spurs' decision not to trade for this superstar looks worse by the day

Entering the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs desperately needed to add an experienced point guard to help facilitate the development of generational talent and reigning Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. Despite being linked to multiple guards entering or currently in their prime in the trade market that would fit the timeline of Wemby, the Spurs decided to take an alternate route through the offseason. 

Instead of targeting one of the available guards in the trade market such as former Spur Dejounte Murray, or Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young whom they’ve been rumored to be after for quite some time, San Antonio elected to shop in the bargain bin, signing 39-year-old Chris Paul after he was waived by the Golden State Warriors, and drafting a longterm project in Stephon Castle.

Back in September, it was reported the Hawks placed Young on the trade block this summer, but there weren’t any suitors. ESPN's Tim MacMahon suggested Young's trade value is virtually nonexistent, despite San Antonio being linked to Young in trade rumors going back to last season's trade deadline. Although there was obvious interest from the Spurs in Young, the only player they elected to trade for during the summer was Harrison Barnes. 

Trae Young's hot start makes the Spurs decision not to trade for him look even worse

While trading for Trae Young likely would have prevented the Spurs from acquiring Barnes, given his sizable contract, and would have been more costly, passing on the 25-year-old point guard was a terrible decision.

And his scintillating start to the 2024-25 season doesn’t make it look any better. Young started the season with back-to-back 30-point double-doubles and is averaging 27 points, 11.7 assists, and 5 rebounds while recording a double-double in all but one game through the first seven games of the season.  

Young has often been criticized for putting up "empty calorie stats." as the Hawks have very little playoff experience during his first six years with the franchise. Since its improbable Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021, Atlanta hasn't won a single playoff series while missing the playoffs entirely last season. Still, his talent is undeniable.

Young has averaged at least 25 points and 9 assists per game every season except for his rookie year. He's averaged a double-double each of the past two seasons. A shifty point guard who can score at all three levels like an elite wing while also facilitating like a traditional guard, a player with Young's skillset would fit seamlessly alongside Wemby. Not to mention his presence on the court will make both of their lives easier, creating easier looks for each as teams would have to pick their poison.

Coming off his third All-Star selection and still just 26 years old, it's hard to believe the Spurs didn't call the Hawks this summer let alone there was no real market for him. Even if there were other suitors, one would expect San Antonio to have the inside track on Young since they own Atlanta's 2025 and 2027 unprotected first-round picks as well as a 2026 pick-swap.

Just because San Antonio didn’t make a deal this summer doesn’t mean we should completely overlook the rumors. An in-season trade remains a possibility, especially given the assets at the Spurs' disposal. It’s still very early in the season but at the time of this writing, the Spurs are a .500 team playing in an extremely competitive Western Conference.

On the flip side, the Hawks have been dealing with injuries and have struggled to stack wins together, thus making it more likely Ice Trae will find himself back on the trade block. If the Spurs manage to go on a winning streak and identify a quick path to playoff contention, Young could be a significant addition to further accelerate the team’s timeline. Win or lose, the more Trae continues to torch the opposition, the crazier the Spurs front office will look for not pursuing him this summer.