The Atlanta Hawks’ poor performance last season meant something drastic needed to be done and that involved making key trades to bolster a team that needed fresh energy. Star player, Trae Young was seen as the player that may have been sacrificed in the trade market. Despite his impressive outing last season, the three-time All-Star wasn’t as appealing in the trade market.
This shocking revelation, despite what was assumed, was revealed by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon who spoke recently on the the Hoop Collective podcast. Although fans of the Atlanta Hawks would be excited that they kept his services for one more season, his lack of serious interest elsewhere would be a serious worry for the organization.
The simple fact of the matter is if there was a real market for Trae Young, he’d be somewhere else right now. It’s not like they got some kind of wild blockbuster return for Dejounte Murray.
Tim MacMahon on the ‘Hoop Collective’ podcast
Last season Trae Young contributed an impressive 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game but there’s this worrying debate over what he can bring to the defensive end of the game. That might have been the reason he didn’t attract suitable suitors, as well as his mouth-watering $215 million five-year contract extension he signed three years ago,
“If there was a real market for Trae Young, he’d be somewhere else right now… If the Spurs wanted Trae Young, they easily could’ve gone and gotten him.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on Trae Young’s trade value around the NBA 😬
(via @ESPNNBA/ YT)
— Mave Sports Network (@mave_sports007) September 2, 2024
The Hawks would want to move on quickly from this as the new season starts soon, as they ended last campaign with seven consecutive defeats. Despite not moving him on to bolster their roster, they can count on him to add to his 25.5 PPG, 9.5 APG, and 3.6 RPG he has achieved in his six seasons with the franchise.
Trae Young opens up about Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr.’s past injury set-back
Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. is no stranger to adversity which was revealed by friend and NBA rival Trae Young in a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George. Porter Jr. had suffered a freak injury while in high school, and as revealed by Young, the injury has been the one limiting factor in his career which seemed so promising.
I was at the practice where he hurt his back. I was with him a week ago and we still talk about that and the difference in his game. He would’ve been another [Paul George]… It’s just unfortunate, he would’ve been a really really high level player and thankfully he’s still made a good career so far.
Trae Young on Podcast P
Luckily, Porter Jr. didn’t let the injury stop him. He recovered from the surgery to work his way to be selected 14th overall by the Nuggets and has since carved out a successful career. Ever since, he has been a boost to the Nuggets who came close to making another conference finals last season.
The shooting forward last season was drawn into a lot of family drama involving his brothers as one received a life-time ban and the other was arrested for driving drunk. He ended last season with 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
