Now that the Atlanta Hawks' season is over, fans have all summer to think about how they can get better in 2025-26. They will also have plenty of time to contemplate potential trades that will shake up the roster.
A lasting memory from this season will likely be when Trae Young was ejected from a play-in game for getting into it with a ref. Young's temper was flaring, and he knew he was being sent to the locker room. The entire moment left a bad taste in the mouths of many, and it has some people wondering if his time in Atlanta is coming to an end.
If that's the case, the Kings would be wise to think about signing the controversial guard.
Trae Young can bring talent, and concerns, to Sacramento
Through his 76 games in the 2024-25 regular season, Trae Young averaged 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and a league-high 11.6 assists per game. This was the first year that he was ahead of all other NBA stars with assists, and he hasn't averaged less than 10 for the last three seasons.
Young would be the sort of offseason acquisition that would get people talking. Although he certainly has his faults and obviously has problems when it comes to lashing out on the court, Young is definitely one of the most talked-about guards in the league. For a team attempting to come together, make changes, and plot a course forward after this season, Young could be a big reset button.
Do the Kings want to commit to a full-on rebuild or are they looking for win-now talent that can shoot them back into the playoffs next season? The front office and new GM Scott Perry will need to figure out an answer to that, and once they do they can weigh the value of trading for Young.
The upside of Young is evident in his numbers, and he could fill the void left by De'Aaron Fox a few months ago. He's a talented floor general and someone who could raise the team's three-point shooting and also handle the ball. He has his critics, but Young is a four-time All-Star for a reason.
However, he's a pricey target and is owed $46 million next year, meaning the Kings would have to cough up a few contracts to make a trade possible. And if the Hawks really are open to losing Young, they will have multiple suitors picking up the phone and giving them a call. Are the Kings truly ready to play ball?
Kings fans are split about what should happen next. Some are embracing the idea of blowing the team up and starting over from scratch, while others feel the front office should aim to bring in established stars who can get them back on track as quickly as possible. Because of that, Young is a player to be watched in the weeks and months ahead because this Hawk could be stretching his wings and heading to a new location.