The Atlanta Hawks have hit a particularly rough patch in their 2025-26 NBA season, having lost seven out of their last eight games, which has resulted in the team plummeting down the Eastern Conference standings.
With this once-promising season for the Hawks starting to fall apart, the team appears to be more willing than ever to shake things up while using their current face of the franchise to do it in superstar guard Trae Young.
Hawks ‘More Open’ to Trading Trae Young ‘Then Ever’
GettyTrae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic , the Hawks are “more open” to discussing potential trade packages involving Young, with the NBA trade deadline just over a month away on February 5.
League sources say the Hawks, who saw so many promising signs during that Young-less stretch, are more open to discussing deals for him than ever. Yet in the absence of clarity regarding legitimate suitors, and with league sources indicating that Young’s market is widely considered minimal, it remains entirely possible that the Hawks will have to handle his situation in the summertime.
One of the primary reasons for the Young trade chatter appears to be the fact that the team didn’t give the 27-year-old a contract extension, which sets up the four-time All-Star to potentially leave the team in NBA free agency this summer by opting out of his deal with the Hawks, according to Amick.
A quick reminder for context: The Hawks’ choice not to give Young an extension opened the door for all of this chatter, as he can opt out and skip town for nothing as a free agent this summer (his player option is worth $48.9 million). As one rival scout put it, “Trae is an extremely difficult player to win at the highest level with.”
With Young possibly leaving the team in free agency this summer, the Hawks would be wise to look into trading him before the deadline, which makes things interesting in Atlanta moving forward.
Hawks Targeting Anthony Davis Ahead of Trade Deadline?
GettyAnthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks
One potential trade target for the Hawks that seems to be gaining steam is superstar big man Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks , according to NBA insider Marc Stein .
The Hawks are a real-deal suitor for Davis. Just how far, though, are they willing to go in terms of a Davis offer? Stein said.
Davis is perhaps the biggest name on the trading block heading toward the deadline, as it seems the Mavericks are content with the idea of moving on from the one-time NBA champion and building around rookie Cooper Flagg .
Along with Amick, Stein also believes Young is no longer untouchable in Atlanta.
There is a growing belief leaguewide that the Hawks are more open to trading him away than they’ve ever been. But what happens to their payroll if no such trade materializes and Young winds up exercising that option?
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NBA Insider Drops Telling Update on Hawks, Trae Young Trade Rumors appeared first on Heavy Sports .