{"id":64207,"date":"2024-02-18T14:27:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-18T19:27:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=64207"},"modified":"2024-02-18T14:27:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T19:27:30","slug":"pistons-perfect-trae-young-trade-suitor-hawks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/02\/18\/pistons-perfect-trae-young-trade-suitor-hawks\/","title":{"rendered":"East Team a Perfect Trae Young Trade Suitor for Hawks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every season, there\u2019s an unexpected shift in the NBA and this year is no different. After the league underwent massive changes last offseason, multiple stars have again been named as candidates to leave their current squads. Chief among these players stands Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Young, 25 years old, was the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

Six years into his NBA career, the Oklahoma product has been named an All-Star on three occasions. He\u2019s also led the Hawks to three playoff appearances, including an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021. However, butting heads with Hawks head coaches and needing a more team-oriented approach, his tenure in Atlanta has been rocky. That\u2019s without even delving into the Hawks\u2019 183-220 record in the Trae Young Era.<\/p>\n

Amid an avalanche of rumors<\/a> that have painted Young as both trade bait and target, a number of scenarios have emerged as possible should the Hawks part ways with the former fifth overall pick.<\/p>\n

Pistons a Perfect Trade Partner for Hawks<\/h2>\n

The scenarios proposed for a Trae Young trade have primarily seen the Atlanta Hawks engaged with the Los Angeles Lakers or San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n

In the case of the Lakers, they may be willingly to give up anything on their roster. 4-time NBA champion LeBron James<\/a>, who will turn 40 years old next season, could be a sign-and-trade candidate this offseason. 30-year-old Anthony Davis<\/a> could be traded for Young as L.A. looks ahead to the future.<\/p>\n

The same all but holds true for the Spurs, whose roster isn\u2019t as talented as the Lakers. Nonetheless, San Antonio would likely be willing to give up any player outside of 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama<\/a>. The Spurs also have a horde of first round draft picks to offer the Hawks, including what may very well turn out to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

These hypotheticals present possibilities that range from intriguing to exciting. However, none are the type of deals that would lead to a eureka moment for Hawks general manager Landry Fields<\/a>. In order for that to occur, Atlanta has to look away from the Western Conference and back towards the East.<\/p>\n

Well, towards the Midwest to be exact. The best trade for the Hawks lays not in negotiations with the Lakers or Spurs, but the Detroit Pistons.<\/p>\n

The Pistons are reluctant to give up<\/a> a \u2018blue chip\u2019 prospect such as Cade Cunningham<\/a>, Jaden Ivey<\/a>, Jalen Duren<\/a>, and Ausar Thompson<\/a>. However, if Atlanta is making Young available, Detroit will surely become more willing to surrender one of their own core players. As the Pistons also face questions about the fit of their starting backcourt, this means that even Cunningham may be available.<\/p>\n

If that\u2019s the case, the Hawks would be wise to make a move.<\/p>\n

Calling Captain Cade<\/h3>\n

Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is currently averaging 21.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game this season. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, he\u2019s doing so on a career-high 44.6 percent shooting from the field.<\/p>\n