Following Monday's reports of collaboration, the Atlanta Hawks are actively pursuing a trade for Trae Young before the February 5 deadline. The Wizards remain the top fit with expiring contracts, while mock deals point to the Clippers and Raptors; numerous teams ruled out due to fit and salary issues.
Building on initial ESPN reports from January 5, the Hawks confirmed they are working with the 26-year-old All-Star—averaging 26.5 points and 10.2 assists over six prior seasons—to secure a deal. Injuries limited Young to 10 games this season, where Atlanta went 2-8, contributing to a 17-21 overall record and the final play-in spot. Without him, the team has shown improvement, bolstered by Jalen Johnson's emergence.
Young's $45 million salary and $49 million player option for 2025-26 narrow his market, as NBA teams shy away from small, defense-challenged guards. Shams Charania reported: "[Trae] appears to be in his final days and weeks in Atlanta... both Trae Young and the Hawks know he just doesn't fit with the current team anymore."
The Washington Wizards are the frontrunner, potentially offering C.J. McCollum's and Khris Middleton's expiring deals plus picks to grant Atlanta cap flexibility for targets like Anthony Davis or Coby White. Mock trades suggest the Clippers could acquire Young for John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Brook Lopez to boost bench scoring. A three-team deal to Toronto involving Immanuel Quickley is also floated.
Sources rule out the Nets, Jazz, Rockets, Mavericks, Kings, Bucks, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Heat, and Suns over mismatches—like Milwaukee prioritizing Giannis complements, per his recent comment favoring himself at point guard. Trading Young would yield nearly $50 million in cap space next summer, plus the Pelicans' 2026 first-round pick, aiding a youth-focused rebuild.