Trae Younger commerce rumors: Hawks star’s contract, taking part in fashion complicate future in Atlanta
Is there a storm brewing in Atlanta?
Just a day after the Hawks announced that Travis Schlenk could be stepping down because the crew’s president of basketball operations, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes revealed that rival executives imagine Trae Younger may very well be the subsequent huge title to request a commerce.
“How the Hawks form the roster round Younger below basic supervisor Landry Fields, the newly appointed front-office chief, might be monitored intently,” Haynes wrote. “A supply instructed B/R that Younger and Fields meet routinely and have an amazing relationship.”
To be clear, these are executives who do not work for the Hawks. Atlanta might don’t have any intention of buying and selling away Younger anytime quickly.
Nonetheless, the truth that Younger’s future appears unsure solely a 12 months after he signed a most rookie extension ought to set off some (minor) alarm bells all through the NBA. It isn’t usually {that a} 24-year-old All-Star turns into accessible.
Then once more, Younger is not the form of participant who can simply slide into any rotation. His taking part in fashion and contract make gauging his true worth a tough course of.
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Why would Trae Younger request a commerce?
In his report, Haynes famous that Younger is extraordinarily aggressive and “has a robust need to win huge on this league.” The Hawks seemed to be on an upward trajectory after reaching the 2021 Japanese Convention Finals, however they completed the 2021-22 season with a disappointing 43-39 document, shedding within the first spherical to the Warmth.
As of Dec. 22, Atlanta is 16-16, sitting at No. 9 within the Japanese Convention Play-In Match race. The Hawks rank beneath common in offensive ranking (No. 19), defensive ranking (No. 17) and internet ranking (No. 21). Younger and offseason acquisition Dejounte Murray have posted spectacular counting stats, however they’re clearly nonetheless studying tips on how to play collectively.
There may be time for Fields to tweak the roster, and a dramatic change may very well be on the desk within the type of a John Collins commerce. Hawks possession has given Fields the “inexperienced gentle” to make upgrades, per Haynes.
However even with some modifications, Atlanta might not be capable of advance past the Play-In Match or first spherical — and Younger is a part of the issue.
Trae Younger’s taking part in fashion
Younger is likely one of the most dynamic offensive gamers within the NBA, a lightning-quick guard able to pulling up for deep pictures off the dribble or throwing lasers via tight home windows. He’s a menace to go off for 30 factors and 15 assists on any given evening.
The issue is that Younger’s fashion does not work in any system. In Atlanta, Younger has been the system.
He’s as soon as once more among the many league leaders in time of possession, common seconds per contact and common dribbles per contact. Every thing goes via him.
And on the defensive finish? That is an journey for Younger. He is likely one of the worst defenders within the league, in line with FiveThirtyEight’s Defensive RAPTOR metric, and the attention check backs up the superior stats. Younger, who’s already at an obstacle due to his measurement (6-1, 164 kilos), usually shows poor effort, and he simply will get caught on screens.
Younger’s shortcomings are extra evident when he is not rolling on offense. By means of 29 video games this season, he’s capturing 41.1 % from the sphere and 30.7 % from 3-point vary.
These numbers ought to go up over time, however is Younger keen to take a tough take a look at himself in these different areas?
Trae Younger’s contract
Younger, who’s represented by Klutch Sports activities Group agent Omar Wilkes, signed a five-year most rookie extension final summer time. The deal features a 2025 early termination possibility and a 15 % commerce kicker.
| 12 months | Age | Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 24 | $37.1 million |
| 2023-24 | 25 | $40.1 million |
| 2024-25 | 26 | $43.0 million |
| 2025-26 | 27 | $46.0 million |
| 2026-27 | 28 | $49.0 million (PO) |
(Through Spotrac)
That monetary element could be a significant a part of any commerce negotiations. Matching Younger’s hefty wage may very well be a difficult activity for sure groups, and the Hawks would additionally need draft decide compensation of their return package deal.
Trae Younger touchdown spots
Haynes’ report simply emerged, so let’s not begin throwing round particular gamers and future picks. We will ease into the commerce dialogue by itemizing a couple of groups that make at the very least some sense for Younger.
Bulls: Chicago has been a catastrophe with out Lonzo Ball. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are terrific scorers, however they are not table-setters. The Bulls want some extent guard.
Warmth: Halfcourt offense is at all times a grind for the Warmth. They rank twenty sixth in offensive ranking this season, however they’re a top-10 crew defensively. Younger can enhance Miami’s offense, and his teammates can cowl for him on the opposite finish.
Knicks: The villain turns into the hero of Madison Sq. Backyard? New York could also be hesitant to take the ball out of Jalen Brunson’s arms as a result of he has been glorious in his first season with the Knicks, however he is aware of tips on how to work alongside a ball-dominant participant. Simply ask Luka Doncic.
Magic: Think about Younger dropping dimes to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. Sounds fairly cool, proper?
Timberwolves: We have watched Younger throw lobs to Clint Capela numerous occasions. He would have on the spot pick-and-roll chemistry with Rudy Gobert, who can be the kind of defensive anchor Younger would like to have behind him.
