Lakers Traded For Hawks’ Star Player $245 Million
According to an NBA insider who spoke with Hoops Wire, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs plan to try to trade for Atlanta Hawks standout Trae Young this summer.
According to a source, the Hawks are willing to part ways with Young and center Clint Capela in favor of Dejounte Murray, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and maybe De’Andre Hunter.
Lakers players LeBron James and Anthony Davis have an agent in Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, who represents Young as well. In August 2021, the guard agreed to a $215 million, five-year contract deal with the Hawks. Next season, he will earn $43 million, and in 2025–2026, $45 million.
Young is seen by the Lakers as a third star who can support LeBron and Davis in their quest for a championship. LeBron, 39, has the opportunity to reject his 2024–25 player option and become an unrestricted free agency this summer, but the four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is anticipated to stay with the Lakers, according to a source.
According to a source, the Spurs are looking for a seasoned point guard to play next to Victor Wembanyama. This season, the Hawks and the Spurs considered a Young deal, according to Howard Beck of The Ringer.
The Spurs (18-58) have the poorest record in the conference, while the Lakers (43-33) are in ninth place in the Western Conference this season.
In the NBA, Young is among the top floor generals. It’s uncertain if he will play again this season as he is now out due to a finger injury.
Young was averaging 26.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.2 blocks, and a 42.6% field goal percentage, 37.1% three-point shooting percentage, and 85.6% free-throw shooting percentage for the Hawks before to his injury. 51 starts yielded 35 double-doubles for him.
With a career average of 25.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.2 blocks, Young, 25, is quite accomplished. His contract contains no no-trade language.
In 2021, the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated in six games by the Milwaukee Bucks. Since then, Atlanta has failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs