Revealing the discussions between Trae Young and the Hawks about a breakup! Latest odds on his next team: Mavericks lead, Wizards second

On January 6th Beijing time, The Athletic revealed details of the negotiations between Trae Young and the Hawks regarding their separation. Meanwhile, the newest odds for Trae Young’s next team have emerged, with the Mavericks at the forefront and the Wizards ranked second.

Trae Young’s time in Atlanta may be coming to a close.

League insiders confirm that the Atlanta Hawks are collaborating with the four-time All-Star and his agent to identify an appropriate trade partner. ESPN was the first to report this development, which clearly signals the Hawks’ readiness to part ways with the 27-year-old star. This situation is closely linked to the team’s recent performance and circumstances over the past few weeks.

Recent performance sparks the trigger

At the end of October, Trae Young suffered a right knee medial collateral ligament sprain. Earlier, the Hawks were highly praised for their offseason roster improvements and were considered promising by many. However, during Trae Young’s absence, the team posted a solid 13-9 record. The 24-year-old rising star Jalen Johnson broke out during this period, delivering his best career performance, while the team’s defense also showed marked improvement. Considering the closely matched strength of Eastern Conference teams this season, the Hawks have demonstrated potential to become a strong contender in most games.

However, after Trae Young returned from injury in mid-December, the Hawks suffered a five-game losing streak while Kristaps Porzingis was sidelined due to illness. Reports last week indicated that the Hawks’ willingness to trade Trae Young had actually surfaced weeks earlier, and in fact, this idea had been brewing for several months.

Trae Young was originally confirmed to miss the away game against the Toronto Raptors, but he still conducted individual training before the game. When asked about Trae Young’s future, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder declined to comment.

Disagreements over extension and contract risks

This summer, the Hawks decided not to offer Trae Young a long-term contract extension, laying the groundwork for current trade rumors. Trae Young’s existing contract covers this season and the next, with a salary of $45.9 million this season and $48.9 million next season, including a player option for the latter.

If he chooses to opt out this summer and leave as a free agent, the Hawks would be left empty-handed. Trae Young desires a new contract that reflects his star status, which conflicts with the Hawks’ salary plans. However, the current trade market for Trae Young is not optimistic. League sources indicate his trade value is limited, and the Hawks may have to wait until the summer offseason to fully resolve his future.

Potential trade target: Washington Wizards

Reporter Stein noted that the Washington Wizards are considered one of Trae Young’s possible new teams. In potential trade scenarios, Wizards guard CJ McCollum (earning $30.6 million this season, with his contract expiring this year) is the most likely piece to be sent to the Hawks in exchange for Trae Young. To comply with league salary rules, the Wizards or a third team may need to include additional salary assets to balance the trade.

The Wizards organization stated in an interview that they would not comment on trade rumors.

Trade chain reactions and follow-up plans

If the Hawks successfully trade Trae Young, the team’s roster plans could undergo significant changes. For example, the Hawks previously showed interest in acquiring Dallas Mavericks’ Anthony Davis, but it was considered unfeasible mainly due to Davis’s high salary—$54.1 million this season, $58.4 million next season, and a $62.7 million player option in 2027-28, an amount the Hawks cannot afford.

Wizards fit analysis

The Wizards currently have two large contracts expiring after the 2025-26 season: CJ McCollum ($33.3 million) and Khris Middleton ($33.3 million). If the Wizards make no other moves before the offseason, these contracts will free up about $80 million in salary space by summer 2026, enough to comfortably absorb Trae Young’s $49 million player option next season.

The Wizards’ front office, led by Washington Sports Group president Michael Winger and GM Will Dawkins, prefer to bring in players with height advantages. Trae Young, standing only 1.88 meters tall, clearly does not fit this team-building philosophy. Currently, the Wizards rank 29th in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions, with their biggest defensive weakness being porous perimeter defense. Trae Young’s defensive shortcomings may hinder his integration into the team’s defensive system.

However, during Winger and Dawkins’ two and a half years in charge, accumulating future draft picks and high-potential young players has been a top priority. Therefore, if the Wizards can acquire quality draft picks or promising young talent in a trade, they might be willing to take on Trae Young’s large salary this season or in the coming years.

Latest odds for next destination revealed

Although the Wizards are listed as a major potential destination, the latest odds for Trae Young show that post-trade deadline, the Mavericks remain the most favored team for him to join. The specific odds are as follows—

1. Mavericks (+300), 2. Wizards and staying with the Hawks (+400), 4. Timberwolves (+800), 5. Cavaliers (+900), 6. Raptors and Bucks (+1000), 8. Magic (+1400), 9. Pelicans (+2000), 10. Grizzlies (+2500).