Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young might be ready for a fresh start.
In an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” Marc J. Spears reported that Young has not conveyed to the Hawks that he does not wish to be traded. In fact,
“He’s trying to be really careful about this,” Spears said. “This is a guy who saw Kevin Durant leave Oklahoma City as a kid, and saw how that was. He wants to continue, whether he’s there or gone, to have a connection with Atlanta. I don’t think he’s asking for a trade, but I don’t think he’s telling them not to trade him. I hear he’s open-minded to being moved.”
Marc Spears on Trae Young:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 5, 2026
"I don't think he's telling them not to trade him. I'm hearing he's open minded to being moved" pic.twitter.com/lQ7RUwuhhW
Young’s name has come up in trade rumors many times over the years, including as recently as last week. This is, however, the first indication that he would not be opposed to such a move. Even when the team slow-walked contract talks with him, he did not try to force his way out.
That contract is a complicating factor in any Young trade. He is in the final guaranteed year of his current detail, and he possesses a good deal of leverage with his $48.9 million player option for next year. Any team trading for Young would presumably hope to sign him long-term, so he might be able to steer himself to a franchise he would particularly like to go to.
Injuries have limited Young to just 10 games this season. That has not helped to establish his value to Atlanta, either, as the Hawks are just 2-8 when he does play compared to 15-12 when he does not.
