Trae Young has enjoyed some terrific moments with the Atlanta Hawks over the course of his first seven seasons, but you could understand why both parties may be ready to move in a different direction soon. The Hawks signaled towards a rebuild this year at the trade deadline, dealing De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Mainstay center Clint Capela will be a free agent this offseason, and Young isn’t far off from being able to hit the market himself, as he owns a player option for the 2026-27 season,
Are the Hawks ready to pull the plug on the Trae Young era and acquire more young assets to build around Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher? If they are, here are the top trade partners to acquire Young this offseason.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets appear to have the pick of the litter this offseason for any disgruntled star, as they have the combination of young talent, draft picks and the need for a true All-NBA type talent to help push their talented core to the next level. The Rockets should be the very first call Atlanta makes: players like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore could all be reasonably available in a deal for Young, with Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun being the likely only “untouchable” players in a trade.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker would seemingly be a better fit for Houston, but if the Rockets were willing to stomach some of Young’s defensive deficiencies, he would certainly make the offense even more dangerous.
Chicago Bulls
It’s hard to get a good feel for where the Bulls are going. Josh Giddey played out of his mind down the stretch, but he’s set to hit the market as a free agent this offseason. Are the Bulls committed to Coby White? Would they use some of their multiple expiring contracts and valuable draft picks in order to land a star to build around for the future?
If the goal of trading Young is to land potential top draft picks while creating financial flexibility moving forward, Chicago would make for an interesting trade partner.
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Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers check all the boxes for what Atlanta should be looking for in a trade for Young. They have cheap, controllable young talent, valuable future draft picks, and expiring contracts to provide cap relief.
There are good things brewing in Portland! Deni Avdija has some juice as a top offensive option, Toumani Camara is a defensive menace, and Donovan Clingan has the potential to become a great rim protector. With Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton on expiring contracts, the Blazers could use one of their big expiring contracts to fish for a true number one offensive option this offseason.
With multiple lob threats, nasty wing defenders, a Hall of Fame point guard in Chauncey Billups at head coach and the opportunity to have the ball in his hands a ton, Portland feels like the perfect landing spot for Young.
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