One NBA writer proposed that the Orlando Magic acquire Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks this offseason.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Magic and Hawks:
Trae Young for Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, Jett Howard, a 2025 first-round pick (via Denver), a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick swap
The Hawks are expected to consider trading Young this offseason.
One of the top scorers and passers in the NBA, Young averaged 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists this season while shooting 43.0% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc and 85.5% from the free-throw line. He recorded 37 double-doubles in 54 games.
“Despite the steady criticism over Trae Young’s ball-dominance and lack of defense, he’s still one of the league’s most consistent and dynamic offensive engines,” Bailey wrote. “And the easy looks he’d create would do wonders for Paolo Banchero (who was one of the league’s least efficient scorers) and Franz Wagner.
“Balancing the shot attempts might take some time. In that trio, Young could be the third option on some nights, which would take some getting used to. But the upside there, especially in concert with the defense of Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr., is high.”
Young signed a five-year, $215 million extension with the Hawks in August 2021. He’ll make $43 million next season and $45 million in 2025-26.
Young, who turns 26 in September, holds career averages of 25.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Young recently left Klutch Sports Group for CAA.
The Hawks didn’t make the 2024 playoffs. Meanwhile, the Magic lost in the first round to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.
“For the Atlanta Hawks, this certainly isn’t the kind of win-now trade Dejounte Murray would probably want (it might make sense to move him too), but a core with Murray, Bogdan Bogdanović, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and the incoming talent in this deal probably wouldn’t have them much further from contention than they are right now,” Bailey wrote.
