Let’s get you caught up on the latest trade rumors from around the NBA, including Trae Young‘s status with the Hawks and Luka Doncic‘s temperature with the Mavericks.
Trae Young Available In Trade Talks?
Hawks point guard Trae Young may not be untouchable in trade talks this offseason. If Atlanta has an early exit from the playoff picture, the front office could look at major roster shake-ups, including trading Young (per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer).
With the offseason approaching, league sources say the Hawks’ front office has the green light from ownership to do whatever it wants to with the roster, which includes considering trade opportunities involving All-Star point guard Trae Young.
There have been rumblings about Atlanta making upcoming roster moves for months, including rumors that Young’s time with the Hawks could be nearing its end. The Athletic previously reported that there were tensions between Young and former coach Nate McMillan with many players siding with the McMillan over Young.
How Young is meshing with new coach Quin Synder appears to be a key factor in how long Young stays with the only franchise he’s ever known, O’Connor adds.
League sources say during months of negotiations in the lead-up to his February hiring, Snyder demanded—and now wields—significant influence over personnel decisions. Though Atlanta’s front-office dynamic is described as a collaborative effort, many high-level decision-makers from opposing teams believe that it’s now Snyder who has the final say.
The Hawks take on the Heat in the Eastern Conference’s 7-v-8 seed matchup.
Mavericks Update
Luka Doncic said he’s happy in Dallas during the his exit interview with the media over the weekend, though he noted that “something got to change” before stating that it wasn’t an issue he wanted to “talk to the media about.”
Many are questioning the Mavericks decision to rest starters in an elimination game over the weekend. Doncic did comment on that scenario.
“I didn’t like that decision,” he said. “That’s it.”
Damian Lillard Check-In
Portland star Damian Lillard wants the team to upgrade the talent around him and he explained that he’d prefer new additions to be veterans rather than ushering in new, young talent.
“I’m just not interested in that. That’s not a secret,’’ Lillard said (via Jason Quick of The Athletic). “I want a chance to go for it. And if the route is to (draft youth), then that’s not my route.”
Lillard re-signed with the Blazers on a five-year deal, though leading up to that agreement there had been much speculation about him finding a new team.
The Sixers were among the teams that Lillard was previously linked to. Lillard has also been connected to the Knicks, though both Atlantic Division teams have made point guard upgrades since those reports (James Harden arrived in Philadelphia and Jalen Brunson signed with New York). The Knicks reportedly remain in star-chasing mode, so it’s possible that they could look to pair Lillard and Brunson in the backcourt.
