“IT’S TIME” Trae Young finally react to trade rumor connecting him with Lakers.

The Atlanta Hawks have made the decision to admit that their current squad is not capable of competing seriously in the Eastern Conference and to face the music this offseason.

In order to achieve this, they dealt Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, receiving two future first-round selections and lockdown defensive guard Dyson Daniels in return. And if the Hawks floor general’s social media activity is any guide, it appears that a Trae Young deal might not be too far off.

Young used his official Twitter (X) account to post a mysterious message. He used the emoji of folded hands (🙏🏽) to convey a message of prayer, thanks, or pleading. Could this indicate that Young is experiencing some kind of emotion now that it appears like he may soon leave the Hawks team?

The Hawks’ willingness to part with their franchise cornerstone is now unclear; players with Trae Young’s caliber of play don’t exactly come along every day. He has also proven to be a reliable player for the Hawks, save from the season before when he tore a ligament in his hand. Teams tend to retain players that are durable stars with an average rating of 26/10, particularly when they are just 25 years old.

It’s not like teams will be trading for a rental, since Young is signed for at least two more seasons (with a player option for the 2026–2027 campaign). The possibility of dealing Young away is made more alluring by the Hawks’ seeming plunge into a rebuild, which could yield Atlanta a substantial trade return.

Trae Young being acquired by the Lakers appeared to be nothing more than a pipe dream. Ultimately, it seems a little foolish for the Hawks to part with the franchise’s cornerstone floor general, whom they decided to base their organization on instead of Luka Doncic in 2018. Young led the Hawks to the Conference Finals in 2021, demonstrating his prior accomplishments. He is an excellent pick-and-roll player who is a heliocentric offensive weapon.

But now that Dejounte Murray has been dealt by the Hawks, it seems more likely than ever that Atlanta will go all in on a roster overhaul. Since the Lakers are constantly looking to add stars to their roster, Young’s confidence and swagger make him an ideal fit for the flash and glitter of Hollywood.

But it’s reasonable to ask whether the Lakers have enough assets to make a trade for Trae Young. They have all but two of their first-round picks on the table (the Hawks now own the 2025 Lakers pick thanks to the Murray trade), which ought to assist facilitate any possible trade. However, the Lakers might not have the youthful talent to completely persuade the Hawks.

Although Jalen Hood-Schifino would be a deal-sweetener, the Hawks already have Kobe Bufkin, a guard prospect who hardly played in his rookie season. Therefore, Hood-Schifino might not be the best trade return. It will take months for Max Christie to be traded away once the season starts. Dalton Knecht seems like the ideal addition to the club as LeBron James’ catch-and-shoot weapon.

The Lakers have also been adamant about holding onto Austin Reaves; it’s unclear if their passion for the 26-year-old guard from home outweighs their desire in Trae Young.

Alongside LeBron James, there’s also the issue of fit; Young isn’t the most proficient off-ball weapon and, despite some improvement, his defense isn’t particularly noteworthy. However, taking chances is necessary to assemble a team that can compete for a title, and Young might be the player for whom those risks are worthwhile.

The San Antonio Spurs have been mentioned by many as the ideal long-term home for Trae Young during the last few months. Throughout his career, Young has made players like Clint Capela, John Collins, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu look like millionaires. He is the best lob coordinator in the association.

The Hawks’ picks, however, are owned by the Spurs, who recently inked Chris Paul as a seasoned fill-in for a one-year contract. Young is unlikely to sign with the Spurs in the near future.

In the meanwhile, the Miami Heat might be able to enter the Trae Young competition a year after passing on Damian Lillard. But they lack the youthful prospects and draft capital that the Hawks might find attractive.