Earlier in the week, it was reported that the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young would work together on finding a trade destination for the four-time All-Star.
The search comes after what has been a tough start to the season for Young, averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game, both of which are a step back from what his production numbers were last season. Some of this could be due to the sprained right MCL that Young suffered early on in the season, which has limited him to only ten appearances thus far.
As reported by Jake Fischer for The Stein Line, among teams around the association, Young's camp has the Brooklyn Nets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves within his sights.
“I’m told that Young's camp has suggested Minnesota and Brooklyn, from their side, as two attractive potential destinations,” Fischer reports.
Despite this interest from the four-time All-Star's camp, neither organization is in the hunt to land his talents, according to Fischer.
“Yet, I’m also told that neither the Timberwolves nor the Nets are in pursuit,” Fischer states.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards now seem to be Young’s top destination.
Why wouldn't the Timberwolves, Nets want to pursue Young?
Brooklyn finds themselves in a tricky situation, sitting towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference with their own first-round pick in the highly anticipated 2026 NBA draft. If the team's interest lies in getting a high pick for the upcoming draft, it may make more sense not to bring in an offensive superstar like Young.
On the opposite side sits the Timberwolves, who are in the midst of a title contention period for the franchise, making it to the Western Conference finals for the last two seasons. As things stand now, Minnesota is sixth in the West, well within the playoff picture entering the second half of the season.
However, making a move now could throw off the formula that has gotten them so far in the past, and with the team not having too much of their own draft capital to spare, there might not be much of a package to offer up.
If there is any move regarding Young to be done this season, it will have to be done prior to the NBA Trade Deadline, which will close on February 5 at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Newsweek