One NBA writer is proposing that the New York Knicks acquire Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in a blockbuster deal. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Knicks and Hawks:
New York Knicks receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks receive: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Hartenstein and two first-round picks
“The Knicks are sitting atop a mountain of trade assets and just so happen to be one impact addition away from rising to the ranks of a full-fledged contender,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “They just need the right star to shake loose. They likely don’t have Young atop the wish list, since they already have an ascending star at point guard in Jalen Brunson. Then again, they were mentioned in the Damian Lillard and James Harden sweepstakes, so they seemingly aren’t totally against the idea of adding a scoring playmaker.
“Young would be a fascinating target for a lot of reasons, not least of which is his history with the fanbase. When the two teams tussled in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, he was the subject of some colorful chants from ‘Bockers fans and seemed to savor the moment.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks Updates
An NBA executive who spoke with NBA Analysis Network doesn’t think Young will finish out his contract with the Hawks. Young signed a five-year, $215.2 million extension with Atlanta in August 2021.
“Moving on from Nate McMillan to Quin Snyder was simply a bandaid the Hawks put on the wound with Trae Young,” the NBA exec said. “His issues with the organization go much deeper than the head coach. I have a very hard time thinking he stays long-term in Atlanta.”
Young averaged 26.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists last season for the Hawks while shooting 42.9% from the floor, 33.5% from beyond the arc and 88.6% from the free-throw line. The two-time All-Star was ninth in the NBA in total points, 10th in points per game, first in total assists and second in assists per game.
The Hawks lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. Young averaged 29.2 points, 3.7 boards and 10.2 assists in the six-game series. The Texas native has career NBA averages of 25.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Knicks could start Young, Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson if New York’s front office acquired Young from Atlanta.
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