This year’s trade deadline saw the Hawks decide against making any trades, which has sparked rumors about what Atlanta would do this summer. The Hawks debated about dealing guard Dejounte Murray and other players, but ultimately opted against it and will attempt to contend with their current roster. This has led some to wonder if the Hawks might contemplate trading one or both of its top guards in the event that they miss the playoffs. The Los Angeles Lakers have long been regarded as a possible team that could trade for Trae Young, and this has sparked a flurry of speculations about Young. However, how might a deal to the Lakers be structured, and would the Hawks agree to it? NBA Analyst for Sporting NewsNoh continued his analysis of the trade, pointing out the reasons the Hawks would accept it and reject it. His complete analysis is available here. As I stated earlier this week, I don’t think the Hawks will make a trade until Young makes a move to leave Atlanta, which he hasn’t done yet. The Hawks do not own their own draft picks moving ahead as a result of the Dejounte Murray trade, therefore I do not think they will be interested in making a deal with the Lakers. Atlanta will have to rebuild if they sell Young, and it is difficult to do when you don’t have your own picks. There’s going toJake Fischer of Yahoo Sports released the following story last Thursday night following the Trade Deadline: “The Lakers most definitely won’t restrict their thinking to Murray.” After hearing Atlanta’s pre-deadline rumors, a few front offices concluded from their discussions with the Hawks that Trae Young might be traded this summer, contingent on Atlanta’s performance in the remaining games of the season. That may turn out to be wishful thinking on the part of opposing teams, much as league staff members would hope and pray for the availability of Joel Embiid in Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, and so forth. For the time being, nevertheless, there is one location outside of Los Angeles that NBA players have frequently brought up as Young’s possible home.”The decision to keep Murray, however, certainly has more than a few front offices out there believing that the Hawks could reach the point—provided this season doesn’t end well—that they entertain the most dramatic possible reset,” said veteran NBA insider Marc Stein earlier this week. “Perhaps the more significant reason why Trae Trade Talk has a more tangible feel than ever before: There appears to be a true market forming for Young for really the first time in his six seasons as a Hawk.”
“I can tell you this much: They’ve certainly convinced various rival teams that a Dejounte In/Trae Out course is going to be legitimately considered.”
