The Atlanta Hawks have placed All-Star guard Trae Young on the trade block and are now working with his agents to find a new team for him before the trade deadline. This marks a major turning point for a franchise that once built its entire future around the dynamic point guard.

How Trade Talks Started  

Young and his representatives, Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison and Austin Brown, have entered what has been described as “positive and collaborative” talks with Hawks management about a trade. Both sides are focused on finding a solution that works for Young’s career and the team’s long‑term direction, rather than letting tension grow in the locker room.

The conversations followed months of uncertainty after Atlanta chose not to offer Young a contract extension last offseason, a clear sign that the team was at least open to a future without its star guard. That decision planted early doubts about how committed the franchise was to keeping Young as its centerpiece.

Young’s Contract And Value

Young is in the middle of a lucrative deal, earning about 45.9 million dollars this season and holding a 48.9 million dollar player option for next year, giving him roughly 95 million dollars in guaranteed money over two years if he opts in. The size of that contract makes any trade complicated, because interested teams must both match salary and be ready to commit to paying a high‑priced star for multiple seasons.

Despite that cost, Young’s production keeps him attractive on the market. He is averaging career‑best numbers of around 25.2 points and 9.8 assists, showing he still ranks among the league’s most dangerous offensive playmakers.

Why Hawks Are Ready To Move On

Atlanta’s front office appears to believe the current core has reached its limit. The Hawks sit at 17‑21, and while that record is disappointing, the team has actually gone 15‑12 in games Young has missed this season as others have stepped up. Forward Jalen Johnson has emerged in a bigger role, putting up roughly 24 points, 10.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists in recent games and looking like a potential new building block for the franchise.

There are also long‑standing concerns about Young’s defense and about building a balanced roster around a small, ball‑dominant guard on a maximum contract. Those worries make the Hawks more eager to get strong draft picks and cheaper young players in return rather than doubling down on an expensive, offense‑heavy roster.

Wizards And CJ McCollum Enter Picture

One team that has risen as a serious suitor is the Washington Wizards. Reports indicate that early talks have centered on a framework involving the expiring contract of veteran guard CJ McCollum, which would clear major salary space for Atlanta after this season.

However, the Hawks are not interested in a simple salary dump. They are pushing for extra value in the form of draft picks or young prospects, especially because they are giving up a four‑time All‑Star who is still just 27 years old. Washington, on the other hand, wants to see if pairing Young with its own core can speed up its rebuild, but will be careful about how many future assets it sends out.

What Comes Next For Young And Hawks

Trade talks are expected to continue to intensify as the February 5 deadline approaches, with Young’s agents and the Hawks front office staying in close contact to evaluate offers. The aim for both sides is a clean break that lets Atlanta fully commit to a new direction while giving Young a fresh situation where his playmaking and scoring can shine.

Until a deal is completed, Young remains on the Hawks’ roster, but the message is now clear: the franchise has officially put its longtime star on the trade block, with his own camp actively helping to make the move happen. 

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