Trae Young Discusses Trade Drama The Day of Play-In Game

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young is dealing with trade rumors before tonight's game against the Miami Heat.

In a few hours, the Atlanta Hawks will face the Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament. The winner of the hugely consequential game clinches the 7-seed, while the loser continues to a do-or-die matchup later this week.

It is not enough that Atlanta has struggled with their big brother to the south or that the face of their franchise has never fared well in the Sunshine State. But now Trae Young is dealing with trade rumors at the worst possible time.

On Monday morning, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer dropped a perfectly-timed article on an off day that stated the Hawks front office had the "green light" to explore trading Young this summer.

Trae Young reacts to a foul / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Today, Joe Vardon of The Athletic asked Young about the reports, and his response was not exactly reassuring. “It could be false, could be true, you never know,” said Young.

Of course, the vast majority of Hawks fans do not want to even speak the idea of a trade involving into the universe. Seeing their star player openly discuss trades the morning of an important game against a team he has struggled against is a full-fledged nightmare.

This could all be unnecessary drama if Young and the Hawks play well tonight and throughout the postseason. Or, it could be a continuation of a tumultuous year that saw the front office and coaching staff overhauled in Atlanta. Only time will tell.