In This Story
Atlanta Hawks
Sep 9, 2025 1:32 PM EDT
It has been a busy offseason thus far for the Atlanta Hawks as they have made multiple upgrades to their roster to chase a championship this season.
Of course, the Hawks acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics and signed both Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard in free agency.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) charges into Atlanta Hawks forward Garrison Mathews (24) in the third quarter at Target Center.
Source: Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
By adding these players to their core of Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta is expected to be a top team in the East this season, though they do enter the season with a major storyline overshadowing them.
That would be Young’s future in Atlanta as the Hawks have yet to offer the star guard a contract extension despite him having a player option that he could decline and enter free agency next summer.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young — Source: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon released a report on Tuesday that Young’s future in Atlanta is “murky” amid their contract dispute.
Oops! We’re unable to load this content right now.
View directly on 𝕏
Because of this, the Hawks may be willing to move on from Young ahead of the trade deadline and if they do, these three teams could be potential landing spots.
Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic. — Source: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic have been in desperate need of an elite 3-point shooter and playmaker alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner over the past few seasons.
Of course, Orlando did make a massive trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Desmond Bane to start off their offseason but they could also be in the Young sweepstakes as well.
For Young, he would give the Magic another star player who is an elite shooter next to their young core that could propel them to a potential championship run, though it would take a lot for them to acquire him.
Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) — Source: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Rockets have already made multiple moves this offseason to upgrade their roster with the biggest being acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
Despite this, Houston is looking to make a run at a championship this season and adding Young to their roster could help them do just that.
The star guard would be a major upgrade over Fred VanVleet in the backcourt, mainly due to his 3-point shooting and playmaking skills and with a core of Young, Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, the Rockets could become the team to beat in the Western Conference this season.
Miami Heat
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) and Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22). — Source: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
For the Miami Heat, they have been in desperate need of a starting point guard for many years and they have been linked to Young over the past few seasons.
Of course, the Heat’s core of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins can only take them so far and by acquiring Young, they could be a legitimate contender in the East this season.
Despite this, Miami does not have a ton of tradeable assets they could move for Young, especially with them likely having to include Kel’el Ware in a trade package, which they were unwilling to do for Durant and it may be the same or Young.
While these three teams could all be in the running to acquire Young if the Hawks look to move him this season, there should be multiple teams that show interest in adding the star guard to their roster.
About the author