Trae Younger and the Atlanta Hawks are headed for a divorce. The 2 sides are working collectively to discover a deal forward of Feb.’s NBA commerce deadline, in accordance with ESPN insider Shams Charania. Younger has spent his total profession in Atlanta since being the No. 5 total choose within the 2018 NBA Draft. He holds a $48.9 million participant choice for subsequent season, and can be a free agent if he turns it down or after 2026-27.
Younger missed a 22-game stretch with a sprained MCL earlier this season, and the Hawks appeared to have a greater method with out him. The Hawks are 15-12 with out Younger within the lineup, and never surprisingly they regarded significantly better defensively when he was out. Younger remains to be one of the vital proficient offensive creators within the sport, and he might have huge worth to a workforce on the lookout for a lead engine who can mix scoring and playmaking. There’s a transparent frontrunner to land Younger proper now, and it would come as a shock for those who haven’t been carefully following the rumors.
The Washington Wizards are “authentic potential commerce vacation spot” for Younger, in accordance with long-time inside Marc Stein. The Wizards personal the fourth worst file within the NBA proper now, and they’re slated to have tons of cap area this summer season. Washington remains to be hoping to hit the lottery forward of a loaded 2026 NBA Draft, however they have to really feel like Younger might work effectively with any of the top-three prospects in Duke ahead Cameron Boozer, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and BYU wing A.J. Dybantsa.
The Wizards have been dropping this season, however they’ve seen some good growth out of their younger core. Alex Sarr, the No. 2 total choose within the 2024 draft, has taken an enormous leap ahead as a scorer and nonetheless tasks as a high-level defender long-term. Second-year wing Kyshawn George has taken on extra playmaking duties this yr, and third-year wing Bilal Coulibaly has regarded higher in latest weeks since getting back from damage. Add in rookie shooter Tre Johnson, who Washington chosen at No. 5 total within the 2025 draft, and you’ll see why the Wizards may be taken with Younger.
Younger is a brilliant proficient on-ball creator and one of many NBA’s greatest passers. The Wizards’ younger core is usually made out of play-finishers. Younger is a play creator who may also help speed up the event of gamers like Sarr and Johnson by setting them up for simple buckets whereas nonetheless having loads of scoring gravity on his personal. The truth that Washington has principally drafted lengthy and cell gamers who venture effectively defensively long-term can also be match to cowl up Younger’s defensive limitations.
The framework for a deal between the Hawks and Wizards would begin with C.J. McCollum’s expiring wage going to Atlanta. I threw in two younger gamers in third-year wing Cam Whitmore and rookie wing Will Riley going to Washington. Add in a draft choose at your personal accord.
Who else could possibly be taken with Trae Younger? Listed below are 5 extra suitors:
Miami Warmth: The Warmth are at all times attempting to find stars, and Younger positively nonetheless counts as one. This deal would permit Miami to maintain all their picks plus blossoming second-year huge man Kel’el Ware.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves’ seek for a degree guard subsequent to Anthony Edwards has been an ongoing storyline for years, however sadly it doesn’t appear to be their daring commerce up for Rob Dillingham goes to repay. Younger would totally release Edwards to play off the board, and Minnesota has the defensive may to cowl up his deficiencies there. It’s onerous to make the salaries match, so it would should be a multi-team commerce.
Brooklyn Nets: Michael Porter Jr. is enjoying out of his thoughts for a foul Nets workforce. If Brooklyn doesn’t just like the potential draft compensation on the market on the commerce market, would they swing for a star like Younger? It will at the least convey extra pleasure within the constructing. This deal might work for each side if the Hawks like what they’re seeing out of MPJ.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets have a lot measurement and physicality that it looks like they’re the very best workforce to cowl up Younger’s playmaking warts. Houston’s halfcourt offense remains to be closely reliant on offensive rebounding, and including Younger would give them an incredible passer to probably arrange some simpler buckets. A deal constructed across the injured Fred VanVleet for Younger is an honest place to begin.
Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers have been completely horrible earlier than their latest successful streak. Whereas I’m in favor of LA buying and selling Kawhi Leonard now, perhaps they might make a daring transfer so as to add a youthful star in Younger. Right here’s a loopy one for you that may in all probability by no means occur:
The perfect wager right here is the Wizards. Anticipate a commerce that Trae Younger to D.C. within the coming weeks (or perhaps even days) with out a lot draft compensation going again to Atlanta.
