The Atlanta Hawks ran yet another disappointing campaign as they finished as the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 40-42 record.
This marked their second straight season without closing the berth in the Atlanta Hawks’ NBA playoffs. Obviously, the fanbase has become restless due to lack of success.
But what can the Hawks do? They already have a Cornerstone star on Trae Young. Trae Young has already finished his seventh season in the NBA, but the Hawks are less close to getting the ring than they were when drafted.
So, what is the next logical step? The idea is to trade for draft picks and young prospects for young customers. Unfortunately, according to NBA insider Zach Lowe, that route won’t be done in the same way for the Hawks.
Over the past seven seasons, Young has certainly improved as a player, surpassing the record LeBron James couldn’t do, but it’s clear he can’t carry the team on his shoulder.
Despite this, Lowe hopes the Hawks remain young on the roster as the Hawks do not produce a “positive” outcome for the franchise.
“I want the Hawks to remain young in the long term. I don’t think he has a great market, so I don’t think there’s a deal that will positively reposition the franchise completely.
“If I were them, I would say, “Look as we stretch you, but it should be one of them. It’s flat, or it’s coming down, and it’s flat.”
Currently, Young is set to make $45.9 million in the 2025-26 NBA season as part of a five-year, $215 million deal. But Lowe hopes Tray cuts his pay.
“If I could expand him with a decent number, I would like their team and I think he’d changed the way he plays in his style a bit,” he added.
Young is away from a season of 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 11.6 assists per game for the Hawks while playing in 76 contests.
At a glance, Young’s numbers are decent, but it is his efficiency that played a role in tanking his trade values. Trae shot just 41.1% from the field and an acceptable 34.0% from the three-point line.
As a result, it’s no surprise that Lowe predicts mid-term career hopes for young people rather than giving up on multiple first-round picks and young prospects for him now.
“I think there’s hope for a younger mid-career,” Lowe continued. “Perverts are too strong in words. But within a year, they said, “Oh my god, the Hawks are rising 2-1 in the second round and Trae Young is a little off the ball.”
“I could see that. I think that’s what I do because I don’t think there’s three first round picks and their outlook, or anything like that for Trae Young, which is now on the market,” he concluded.
If Lowe’s prediction doesn’t come true, the Hawks should hear franchise legend Dominic Wilkins urges Young to remove as the team’s first option.