Why the Atlanta Hawks should think about trading Trae Young to the Los Angeles Lakers https://t.co/Ltw3x8r9bf
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 1, 2024
The Atlanta Hawks are currently in a battle for the final play-in tournament, and they are doing so without a number of their key players. One of these players is their franchise cornerstone, Trae Young who is potentially out for the rest of the season.
Even without Young, the Hawks are a competitive unit, and it is thanks in large part to the stellar play of Dejounte Murray. He is ably supported by the rest of the makeshift starting lineup and the developing youngsters which is a big part of what is making this season fun.
Still, there is no way that the Hawks will move up the standings next season if they don’t find a more talented playing group to surround Murray. This is where the Los Angeles Lakers interest in adding Young to their roster could provide the players that they need, or at least the ability to acquire them
How the Atlanta Hawks can benefit from the Lakers interest
For the Lakers to fit Young into their salary cap, they will have to give up some solid players. The Hawks could get some size back with Rui Hachimura who has played really well off the bench for most of this season. He would be a great backup for Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.
However, his $17 million deal would not come close to matching Young’s salary so at least one more player needs to be added to the deal. That player should be D’Angelo Russell, despite the Hawks’ apparent reluctance to include him in any deal before the trade deadline last season.
Russell has worked hard on his off-the-ball game as he knew that he was not going to be ball-dominant with LeBron James on the team. As such, he has shown tremendous development with his quick release 3-ball. In fact, he has developed the shot well enough that he does not bring the ball down prior to shooting it.
If he could bring this to the Hawks’, then this would be a great help to Murray. Russell would also be able to take the ball-handling duties when Murray needs to take a seat. However, the other benefit would be that Russell is not as much of a sieve as Young on defense. He is not a top-level defensive player but he is not a liability.
This may all be an academic exercise as the Hawks may not trade Young and the Lakers may not want to give up these two players. However, for the Hawks to escape the current mediocrity, they need to explore any option available to them.
LakerTom says
Only trade that could work for Lakers is probably impossible to pull off, which would be Rui, DLO, and JHS for Trae. Perfect match for the dollars and only give up two rotation players. Would be a S&T for DLO to play with Dejounte, which I think would be a dynamic duo. Trae salary still an issue but at least Lakers don’t give up more than two rotation players.
Michael H says
I would hate that trade. Everyone assumes that a player will bring the same stats to a new team. As we have learned over the years, that’s not always the case. Tre is the number one option on the Hawks. He averages 26 and 10 and shoots 37% from 3 in 36 minutes. I can guarantee that he would not be as productive playing with LeBron and AD. Plus Tre is a huge defensive liability. I would rather keep DLO and Rui. DLO is averaging 18 and 6.5 and shooting 41% from 3. In 31 minutes. While not a great defender he is much better than Tre. Rui is averaging 13 a game and shooting over 40% from 3. He scores at all 3 levels, has become a good defender and his rebounding has been improving. Plus he is one of only 3 forwards under contract for next year and because of the salary cap he would likely be replaced by a minimum contract player. Tre just isn’t good enough to warrant losing both DLO and Rui.
LakerTom says
I have a problem trading for Trae too. Hard for me to see that being much of an upgrade if any over what we’re getting from DLO right now. I say keep DLO and Reaves and go get a POA guard and starting center.
DJ2KB24 says
Nah.
MongoSlade says
Trae Young? That’s gonna be a no for me Dawg. His entire rep seems to be built on the Hawks beating a bad Knick team in the playoffs a few years ago. We don’t need an undersized gunner.