Trae Young Addresses Recent Trade Speculation and Talks About Whether He Will Be In Atlanta Next Season

Young has been talked about as a possible trade candidate this season

Unfortunately for the Hawks, there is more focus on what is going to happen after this season rather than the remaining part of the season. Atlanta has been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season and their star player Trae Young is currently out for a few weeks. 

Young has been the subject of trade rumors for the past couple of months and on a recent appearance with Taylor Rooks, Young was asked about the rumors and if he believes he will be with the Hawks next season: 

"Hopefully? Like when I was drafted here, I envisioned... I could have went to Kentucky, I could have went to Kansas, but I chose to be different and go to Oklahoma and try to win a championship. I wanted to go there and win in my hometown. Be different. 

They'd never won a championship in Atlanta. 

Me getting drafted there felt like a match made in heaven. Like this is something that I want to do. I can defeat the odds here too. 

For me, my whole vision was to always be here- like my whole goal is to win here. Win championships, bring people here with me and build this, this championship here and this dynasty here. But who knows? Like its year six now and who knows? Like for me, I want that."

Rooks then asked Young to clarify that these trade rumors are not coming from him and that he wants to be in Atlanta: 

"Yeah, I mean yeah, you've heard it from the source, like I wanna win but that's what you've heard too. Like I just wanna win. So that's, that's in Atlanta. That's, that's where I want to be, that's where I envision myself being. But that's, that's it, that's it."

Trae Young, to Taylor Rooks, on trade rumors, etc.

I won't try to shorten any parts to 280 characters, so that you can read the full context in the attached image.https://t.co/VP8cd61sLY pic.twitter.com/Atbc9zqMAW

— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) March 5, 2024

There are some out there though that hope Trae finds his way out of Atlanta.

Former NBA center DeMarcus Cousins appeared with NBA commentator Rachel Nichols and had bold words to say about what Trae Young should want this summer and if we will ever see Young in a Hawks uniform again:

"I hope not. I hope this is the last time we see him in a Hawks uniform. I feel like his talent is being wasted, his prime is being wasted. Get healthy, get 100% correct whether that is in Atlanta or you know, fingers crossed, the San Antonio Spurs"

Nichols and Cousins talked about the idea of Young being traded to the Spurs and pairing up with budding superstar Victor Wembanyama:

"It's a match made in heaven, it just makes sense. This Hawks team is not doing anything for his talent. I take it personal because I was in that situation once and hopefully this offseason, this is the season where he puts his foot down and uses his power and move to a situation that is going to be healthy for him."

Nichols and Cousins talked about the idea of Young being traded to the Spurs and pairing up with budding superstar Victor Wembanyama:

"It's a match made in heaven, it just makes sense. This Hawks team is not doing anything for his talent. I take it personal because I was in that situation once and hopefully this offseason, this is the season where he puts his foot down and uses his power and move to a situation that is going to be healthy for him."

Has Trae Young played his last game for Atlanta? @BoogieCousins: "I 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 this is the last time we see him in a Hawks uniform." 👀 We talk Trae's future, a potential fit with Wemby & a few other teams who may also make a push for him this summer. (He's a Klutch client, so...) pic.twitter.com/YaAFle1C2b

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 27, 2024

There has been speculation from rival executives and people outside of Atlanta, but remember, none of this trade talk is coming from Young or the Hawks.

We'll see what transpires this summer.

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