By Alex KirschenbaumShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Atlanta Hawks and four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young failed to come to terms on what would have undoubtedly been a lucrative contract extension (worth up to $223 million over four years) for Young this past offseason. Young has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, and remains eligible to ink an extension throughout this year.
In speaking to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk about his lack of a deal, Young appeared to be fairly even-keeled.
More news: Timberwolves Linked to Blockbuster Trade for Controversial $197 Million All-Star
"If something happened, it happened. If it didn’t, I still got time," Young said ahead of the season. "I’m focused on this team. I’m focused on right now. I got a great team going into the season that you can’t say I’ve had [before]. So I’m even more excited about that. Who knows what the future is for me. But right now I’m here and I’m present like me and Coach [Quin Snyder] have been talking about. I’m ready to go.”
Given the gap between the two sides, it's perhaps not a total surprise that Atlanta allegedly contemplated flipping the 6-foot-1 Oklahoma State product during the offseason.
...Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that representatives of two-time All-Star Sacramento Kings shooting guard Zach LaVine were attempting to convince the Hawks to flip him for Young.
Young has apparently been a potential trade target for Sacramento even since its prior front office administration was in control.
"There was an offseason push from LaVine's side, sources say, to try to interest Atlanta in a swap that would have landed Young with the Kings. Sources also say that, when Monte McNair was running Sacramento's front office, there was some exploration — at least internally — of De'Aaron Fox-for-Young trade structures," Fischer writes. "But I've since heard rather strongly that [now-Kings team president Scott] Perry does not intend to pursue Young, [Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo] Ball or [Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja] Morant. None of those lead guards is known for the sort of defensive toughness that the Kings' new regime has made it clear will be a priority."
Sporting a paltry 5-15 record on the young season, the Kings appear to be a long ways from competing, and it looks like Perry will focus on tearing down his current roster, comprised of ill-fitting veterans, and accrue draft equity — rather than sacrifice picks to bring aboard an All-Star point guard in a talented Western Conference.
More news: Clippers Interested in Trading for 6-Time All-Star Wing
LaVine could be one of the more interesting veteran trade chips on Sacramento, along with three-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.
Still just 30, the 6-foot-5 swingman is a versatile offensive talent, capable of pouring it in from beyond the 3-point arc, in the paint and at the charity stripe. In 18 healthy games this year, LaVine has been averaging 20.8 points on .493/.380/.866 shooting splits, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He's averaging a solid 7.2 looks from distance a night.
Young has been out since Oct. 29 with a sprained MCL in his right knee. But the Hawks have thrived in his absence, going 10-5 without him. The Hawks are now 12-8 on the year and rank fifth in the Eastern Conference.All-Defensive Team combo guard Dyson Daniels has served as the Hawks' starting point guard without Young (although he had been the team's starting shooting guard alongside Young), while rising forward Jalen Johnson has taken on extra ball handling work.
Maybe Young's ball-dominant style is no longer a fit for this recharged Atlanta squad, and a change of scenery is necessary anyway.
More news: Bucks Reportedly Linked to Massive Trade for $28 Million Celtics Guard
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