Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, there were whispers about the Atlanta Hawk superstar Trae Young potentially being on the trade block, with the Los Angeles Lakers among the teams reportedly showing interest.
During the NBA All-Star Weekend, however, Young expressed his commitment to staying in Atlanta, downplaying the trade speculation.
“It’s this type of league where things change and things happen, but obviously my mindset is staying in Atlanta right now, I don’t get caught up in the rumors and all that stuff, my contract is locked in for a couple of years and I don’t have very much to say about it right now,” Young said.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Young, who is in the second year of a five-year maximum contract extension worth $215.16 million with the Hawks, is the team’s leading figure. Nevertheless, the Hawks’ disappointing performance this season has sparked speculation that the team might consider major changes in the offseason.
“It is part of it,” Young said. “The best players in the game have been traded. I mean some of the few lucky ones have been blessed to be drafted in situations where they win championships and it all be perfect for them, they can stay in that one situation forever and that is what I wanted to do with Atlanta, but who knows?”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Recently, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports revealed that talks with the Hawks left “several front offices” with the impression that Young might be put on the trading block this summer, with the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs showing interest in the three-time All-Star.
The Hawks are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-31 record. Young has been leading the team, averaging 26.9 points, 10.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. A strong finish to the season under Young’s leadership could alter the team’s plans for the offseason and secure his position with the team for years to come.
