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NBA Trades: What is Trae Young’s Value on Open Market?
Nick Crain | 1/5/23
Nearly every year, there’s one big star in the NBA that’s traded. And as the trade sometimes catches people off guard, oftentimes it’s a mutual decision made between the athlete and team due to a recognition that things are no longer working out. Thinking about the current season, many around the league believe the next star to potentially change teams could be Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks have struggled once again this season, sitting below .500 at 17-19, and there’s been tension, both on and off the court, between Young and head coach Nate McMillan that has added additional drama to the situation.
While Young is having somewhat of a down season for his standards, our models still show he’s outperforming the financial value of his contract with his on-court production.
A player of young’s caliber will always make trades difficult because he’s a 24-year-old star and one of the top scorers in the NBA. In addition, there’s always picks involved in deals for players like him, but most packages start with the athletes being swapped.
Using ProFitX’s trade value model we can generate three packages for each team, then see how Young would fit on that roster with the synergy model.
Let’s take a look at a handful of trades that could be a starting point for Young, draft picks aside.
Hornets Expedite Rebuild
The Hornets have veterans that are ready to win now, but as a team they’re still facing some growing pains. In a deal that swaps Young for LaMelo Ball, Charlotte gets an older player that’s a proven playoff performer.
Bulls Shake Things Up
Mavs Pair Doncic with Legit Co-Star
It would be ironic if the Mavericks traded for Young, considering they traded him on draft night for Luka Doncic. Regardless, this would create one of the top offensive duos in the NBA, although Dallas would have to dish out nearly every asset they have to get him.
Warriors Go All-In
Jordan Poole recently got a new contract, which is well deserved. However, the Warriors have struggled this season and don’t look like a contender as of today. As much as they want to manage two timelines to be good now but also down the road, trading Poole along with James Wiseman could make sense, especially since Young would fit the current and future timelines.
Grizzlies Take Consolidation Route
Many top tier teams make consolidation moves, packaging multiple assets to acquire one elite player. Both Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks are critical pieces to Memphis’ success, but if they want to raise their ceiling, the Grizzlies could pair Young with Ja Morant.
Timberwolves Attempt to Salvage Season
After being one of the most active teams in the offseason, the roster just hasn’t meshed this season in Minnesota. If they want to make the most of the team while Anthony Edwards is still on a rookie scale deal, the Timberwolves may have to make secondary moves following the acquisition of Rudy Gobert.
Wizards Keep Beal Happy
Every season, it seems the Wizards have to scramble to be competitive and keep Bradley Beal happy. If they’re willing to part ways with several of their top assets in a consolidation move, a trio of Beal, Young and Kristaps Porzingis would likely be good enough to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.