Atlanta Hawks Waited Too Long to Trade Trae Young, Analyst Says
The Atlanta Hawks traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards on January 9, 2026, in a blockbuster deal that saw the team receive Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum in return. However, NBA analyst Dan Favale believes the Hawks waited too long to trade Young, receiving a salary dump in return.
According to Favale, the Hawks should have traded Young after they sent Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans in the summer of 2024. That was the perfect time to rebuild and get a strong return for Young, who averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game during the 2023-24 season.
Instead, Atlanta traded Young when his value in the NBA was low. Only time will tell if that comes back to bite them. The Hawks have had a busy offseason, signing McCollum to an extension, re-signing Jock Landale, acquiring Devin Carter from the Sacramento Kings, Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Ryan Nembhard from the Dallas Mavericks.
Atlanta's core moving forward is looking good, with players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson. Johnson is the new franchise player in Atlanta in the post-Young era, and it will be fascinating to see if the Hawks win a championship with him leading the way.
The Hawks have had a tough recent form, losing their last 5 games, including a 89-140 loss to the New York Knicks on April 30, 2026.
What Comes Next for the Atlanta Hawks?
The Hawks have a lot of work to do to rebuild their team and make a push for the playoffs. With a new core of players, including Johnson, Alexander-Walker, and Okongwu, the team is looking to the future. However, the trade of Young and the subsequent rebuild will take time, and it's unclear if the Hawks will be able to compete with the top teams in the league.
The Hawks' New Core
The Hawks' new core includes players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson. Johnson is the new franchise player in Atlanta, and it will be fascinating to see if the Hawks win a championship with him leading the way. The team has a lot of potential, but it will take time for the players to gel and for the team to become a cohesive unit.
The Hawks' Recent Form
The Hawks have had a tough recent form, losing their last 5 games. Their last game was a 89-140 loss to the New York Knicks on April 30, 2026. The team will need to turn things around if they want to make a push for the playoffs.
