Trae Young dismisses latest trade rumors: ‘My mindset is staying in Atlanta’
The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, but that does not mean players won’t be involved with those same rumors once the summer arises. Media and fans are always searching for the “next unhappy superstar” that wants out of their current situation.
Among the latest is current Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young, though he dismissed that current scuttlebutt over All-Star weekend.
“The best players in the game have all been traded,” Young said on Sunday. “Some of the few lucky ones have been blessed to be drafted in situations where they can win championships and it will all be perfect for them. They can stay in that one situation forever. That’s what I wanted to do, and that’s what I want to do with Atlanta.
“This is the type of league where things change, but obviously my mindset is staying in Atlanta right now. I don’t get caught up in all the rumors and stuff. My contract is locked in for a couple years. I don’t have very much say in it right now.”
Young’s running mate Dejounte Murray, whose four-year extension will kick in at the start of 2024-25, was subject to plenty of trade rumors ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline. Murray was heavily linked to the Los Angeles Lakers–among other teams–though neither side could agree upon a deal; he was ultimately never moved.
Young, 25, is under contract for at least two more seasons with a $49.0 million early termination option in 2026-27, according to Spotrac. With the second apron penalties becoming more lucrative next season, it will be harder for a contender to trade for young since fewer teams will be able to aggregate salaries.
With Patty Mills and Wesley Matthews expected to enter unrestricted free agency, in addition to Saddiq Bey’s restricted free agency, the Hawks are expected to have roughly $8 million in luxury tax space and $15.4 million in tax apron space under current 2024-25 cap projections.
Outside of Young, who will make $43.0 million next season, Clint Capela ($22.3M cap hit for ‘24-25), DeAndre Hunter ($21.7M) and Bogdan Bogdanovic ($17.3M) could all be moved if the Hawks want to shift things around without major changes. Though Atlanta is seven games below .500 exiting the All-Star break without much direction, so it wouldn’t be surprising if major changes are ahead. That would then open the can of worms of which suitors would be viable for the All-Star guard, who’s one of the most gifted playmakers in the sport despite being a poor defender.
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