Trae Young Trade Rumors: Teams Convinced Hawks Will Eye Move amid Lakers, Spurs Links

The 2024 NBA trade deadline may have passed, but don't expect rumors surrounding the Atlanta Hawks backcourt to quiet down completely.

The Hawks held onto Dejounte Murray through the deadline, and NBA insider Marc Stein reported Monday there's a growing belief Atlanta could ultimately decide to deal Trae Young instead.

"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," Stein wrote.

"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."

Stein reported the San Antonio Spurs are perceived to lead the field in terms of interest at this early stage. The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, "could wind up on there, too."

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported in January the Lakers could launch an offseason pursuit of Young. Los Angeles can trade up to three first-round picks once the 2024 NBA draft rolls around, and that's the kind of capital that can land a marquee star.

McMenamin listed off both Young and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell, who could be moved if the Cavs get a firm sense they have little shot at re-signing him.

The dilemma for the Hawks is clear.

Young is the first true franchise player Atlanta has had since Dominique Wilkins. As good as Mookie Blaylock, Dikembe Mutombo, Joe Johnson and Al Horford were, they don't move the needle like Young does.

The three-time All-Star is also signed through at least 2025-26, and he'll be able to earn so much more from the Hawks on his next contract there's a good shot he'll want to stick around.

Having said that, the Hawks might be staring up at a glass ceiling for as long as they make Young their centerpiece.

In practical terms, Young is growing as a defender but still limited on that end of the floor, something that gets exploited in the playoffs.

Then there are the more nebulous concerns.

Atlanta fired Lloyd Pierce in March 2021 after his relationship with Young and other players deteriorated, and then the same thing basically happened with Nate McMillan around this time last year.

In addition, lest we forget about the time Young said the regular season is "a lot more boring than the playoffs" to help explain a lackluster start after Atlanta reached the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. Even if that's broadly true, it's not something you want your best and most important player saying out loud, especially after making one playoff run.

As painful as it might be, trading Young might be a case of the Hawks taking one step back to move two steps forward.