The NBA trade deadline has passed. We didn’t see the fireworks that we’ve seen in the past at this year’s deadline. It was a relatively quiet day that mostly saw role players change teams.
Could this be a setup for a busy summer? Teams that were expected to sell held firm. They’ll surely re-explore the possibility of selling if the rest of their season is disappointing. We could see some star players on the move this summer.
Keep an eye on the Atlanta Hawks. They decided to hang onto their core at the deadline. If they don’t make a playoff run, they could be sellers this summer. Could they send Trae Young to the San Antonio Spurs?
NBA Trade Proposal
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson, G Devonte’ Graham, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Trae Young
There were plenty of reasons why this was a quiet deadline. There were fewer sellers. Partly, that’s due to the debut of the Spurs’ franchise player.
We’re talking about Victor Wembanyama. Teams tanked for the opportunity to land him. That meant sending their best players to opposing teams with competitive aspirations. As a matter of fact, that’s what the Spurs did prior to drafting Wembanyama.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs Updates
They sent Dejounte Murray to the Hawks. In return, they received two unprotected firsts and a swap. Should the Hawks trade for those picks back?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
That would be a huge incentive for the Hawks to make this deal. Controlling your own draft is critical to an NBA team if they’re going to rebuild. Following this deal, the Hawks could tank in the future if they chose.
If they fall short of expectations this year, that would be a sensible course of action. The Hawks will have been mediocre for two consecutive seasons. If this deal decides that it’s time to start over, they’ll likely start by moving their franchise player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Here, they’re receiving each of those unprotected firsts back. They’re also receiving an intriguing young wing in Johnson. Should the Spurs send all of that to them for Young?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
It feels like the Spurs are still tanking. This team hasn’t appeared interested in making a play-in push this year. They secured Wembanyama, but by all appearances, they’d like to secure another lottery talent before moving forward.
In all likelihood, that’s what they’ll do this summer. The Spurs are one of the worst teams in the NBA. Surely, they’ll be done tanking after making their next lottery selection. If so, they need to acquire a point guard if they’re going to take the next step.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Why not Young? The Spurs don’t need to be stingy with their assets – they already have Wembanyama. By pairing him with whoever they select this year and Young, they could look like a budding dynasty before long. Who knows? They could be buyers at next year’s deadline.
