Trae Young Should Request Trade From Hawks, DeMarcus Cousins Suggests

The former All-Star weighed in on the Atlanta star’s tumultuous situation.

With the Atlanta Hawks (16–23) faltering in the East standings, a potential fire sale could be on the horizon for the organization. And, while Trae Young isn’t expected to be made available, DeMarcus Cousins believes the star guard should take matters into his own hands.

The always-opinionated Cousins shared his hot take on his Showtime show Bully Ball with co-host Rachel Nichols, where the former All-Star weighed in on what he would do if he was in the 25-year-old’s shoes. Given the Hawks’s ongoing struggles, Cousins made it clear he feels there’s only choice: for Young, who has three years left on his contract, to demand a trade in order to avoid becoming the “scapegoat.”

“The situation I’m afraid of with Trae Young is he’ll remain there too long,” Cousins said. “Then, all of a sudden, he becomes the villain. He’s the scapegoat. I know from experience and I know how these organizations work. 

“Once things start to crumble, once things start to fail, the blame game starts. … If I’m Trae Young, I’m getting out as soon as I can.”

“If I’m Trae Young, I’m getting out as soon as I can.” On the latest #BullyBall, @BoogieCousins discusses Trae's future on a Hawks team that has reportedly made much of its roster available for trade.

Catch the full episode w/special guest @DarthAmin: https://t.co/3yclQmkvjs pic.twitter.com/WG05wm7z29

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 16, 2024

Cousins also cited the firing of coach Nate McMillan, who notably had a tenuous relationship with Young, for Quinn Snyder in Feb. 2023 as a sign that the situation could soon turn against the five-year veteran. McMillan led Atlanta to a 99–80 mark and the 2021 conference finals in three seasons following Lloyd Pierce’s 63–120 run from 2018 to 2021.  

While some may criticize Cousins’s perspective, the ex-Kings star may have the inside track based on his infamous exit from Sacramento in 2016 after seven disgruntled seasons with little success.

Still, as of Tuesday, there’s no sign the Hawks may move Young, who’s averaging 27.5 points and 10.5 assists this season. Not to mention, a potential trade, despite Cousins’s wishes, may be more difficult considering the circumstances, including the remaining money on the five-year, $215 million extension Young signed ahead of the 2021–22 season.