The Atlanta Hawks are enduring a difficult stretch in the 2025-26 season, losing seven of their last nine games and sliding rapidly down the Eastern Conference standings. What once appeared to be a promising campaign has begun to unravel, prompting renewed questions about the team’s long-term direction.
As the losses have mounted, Atlanta has shown increased openness to considering major roster changes, including discussions involving franchise guard Trae Young. According to reporting from Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Hawks are more receptive than ever to exploring potential trade packages centered around Young with the February 5 trade deadline approaching.
League sources indicate that Atlanta’s openness has been influenced in part by stretches this season when the team showed encouraging signs without Young in the lineup. However, the same sources caution that identifying serious trade partners has proven difficult, as Young’s market is widely viewed as limited at this stage. As a result, there is growing belief that his situation could extend into the offseason if no suitable deal emerges before the deadline.
Contract dynamics have further fueled the speculation. The Hawks’ decision not to offer Young an extension has positioned the four-time All-Star to potentially enter free agency this summer by opting out of his contract.
That option, valued at $48.9 million, creates urgency for Atlanta, as losing Young without compensation would represent a significant setback. Around the league, some evaluators have also raised concerns about the challenges of building a championship-level team around his skill set.
With that context in mind, trading Young before the deadline could be viewed as a proactive move rather than a reactive one, adding intrigue to Atlanta’s next steps.
One name that has surfaced as a possible target in these discussions is Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks. NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that the Hawks are considered a legitimate suitor for Davis, though questions remain about how aggressive Atlanta would be in crafting an offer.
Davis is regarded as one of the most prominent potential trade candidates ahead of the deadline, with Dallas reportedly open to reshaping its roster and focusing its future around rookie Cooper Flagg.
Both Amick and Stein have noted a broader leaguewide belief that Young is no longer viewed as untouchable in Atlanta. The uncertainty now centers on how the Hawks would manage their payroll and long-term planning if no trade materializes and Young ultimately chooses to exercise his player option.
As the deadline draws closer, Atlanta faces a pivotal decision point that could reshape the franchise’s trajectory, whether that comes through a bold midseason move or a high-stakes offseason resolution.
