Detailed Breakdown of the Trae Young Trade Framework: ESPN Lists 4 Major Options; Is a 2-for-1 Deal with the Blazers Beneficial for Yang Hansen?

On January 7th Beijing time, insider Shams revealed that Trae Young's tenure with the Hawks is coming to a close, as both parties are discussing a trade to find him a new destination. ESPN subsequently outlined four potential trade scenarios involving Trae Young, as detailed below—

Option 1: Wizards Acquire Trae Young in a 4-for-2 Trade

Wizards Receive: Trae Young, 2031 second-round pick (better position between Hawks’ and Rockets’ picks)

Hawks Receive: Malaki Branham, AJ Johnson, CJ McCollum, 2026 first-round pick

Analysis: If the Hawks trade Trae Young, they will gain significant salary cap flexibility starting from the 2026-27 season; McCollum can fill the playmaking void this season when Young and Jalen Johnson are unavailable. For the Wizards, this is a low-risk gamble with the potential to acquire a star in his prime.

Option 2: Three-Team Trade Among Hawks, Wizards, and Kings

Wizards Receive: Trae Young, 2026 second-round pick (from Hornets, protected top 55)

Hawks Receive: Malaki Branham, Devin Carter, AJ Johnson, Malik Monk, Dario Saric, 2026 first-round pick (from worst position among Clippers, Rockets, Thunder)

Kings Receive: CJ McCollum

Analysis: The Hawks can also acquire a long-term backup guard through this deal. 27-year-old Monk, who was runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year two seasons ago, lost favor due to Sacramento’s crowded backcourt. The Kings are rebuilding and would welcome shedding Monk’s remaining two-year $42 million contract. Even though Monk and Johnson’s contracts extend through 2026-27, the Hawks have enough cap space to use exceptions during the offseason, and Monk’s contract helps with salary matching flexibility, enabling potential trades for stars like Giannis.

Option 3: Bucks Acquire Trae Young in a 4-for-1 Trade

Bucks Receive: Trae Young

Hawks Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Gary Harris, 2031 Bucks first-round pick

Analysis: The Bucks’ pairing of Giannis and Lillard has underperformed, so adding a starting point guard might better complement the two-time MVP. The Bucks urgently need to strengthen their roster around Giannis, and their core players’ salaries can match trade requirements.

This trade offers limited immediate improvement to the Hawks’ roster, mainly bolstering their frontcourt, but the key asset is the Bucks’ only tradable 2031 first-round pick—which could be extremely valuable as Giannis will be 36 by the 2030-31 season.

Option 4: Blazers Acquire Trae Young in a 2-for-1 Trade

Blazers Receive: Trae Young

Hawks Receive: Jerami Grant, Robert Williams

Analysis: The Blazers are quietly searching for a quality point guard: Lillard is out for the season, Jrue Holiday has been sidelined since mid-November, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still developing, and 21-year-old Henderson has underperformed in the NBA and is sidelined indefinitely due to a hamstring injury, severely weakening the team’s playmaking. So far, Avdija is the only Blazers player with over 100 assists this season.

Trae Young could quickly boost the Blazers’ offense, currently ranked 24th in the league; theoretically, their perimeter and interior defenders could compensate for Young’s defensive weaknesses, even though this strategy did not work for the Hawks.

Grant, who has been out since mid-December due to Achilles tendinitis, has regained form this season with a 60% true shooting rate and averages 20 points per game. His addition would strengthen the Hawks’ forward rotation. However, although Grant’s salary is lower than Young’s, his contract lasts longer—with $34.2 million in 2026-27 and a $36.4 million player option in 2027-28.

For Yang Hansen, the departures of Grant and Williams could significantly increase his playing time. This trade might positively impact the remainder of his rookie season.