Why a Trae Young trade is inevitable — And where fantasy basketball managers should hope he lands
- - Why a Trae Young trade is inevitable — And where fantasy basketball managers should hope he lands
Dan TitusJanuary 8, 2026 at 12:20 AM
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As the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline nears, the buzz around Trae Young's potential departure from Atlanta continues to heat up. But this isn't your typical superstar-on-the-move story driven by contract disputes or locker room unrest. This time, the Hawks have a legitimate basketball reason to consider moving their franchise cornerstone: they've been better without him.
Jalen Johnson's leap as a primary playmaker and the rise of Nickeil Alexander-Walker as one of the offseason's best acquisitions have given Atlanta something it lacked: a blueprint for the future that doesn't require Trae. And with Young's massive salary, defensive flaws and looming cap implications (Hawks are at the first apron), Atlanta has all the ammo they need to explore the trade market. A trade was the inevitable outcome once the Hawks decided not to give Young a contract extension this season.
So, where could he land — and more importantly, what does it mean for fantasy basketball?
Washington Wizards
A Trae-to-D.C. scenario likely involves veterans and picks, but the takeaway is simple: Young would walk into a situation with zero friction as the primary engine of their offense. Washington is a team starved for creation and shot-making, and inserting Young into the mix would help a young roster get a table-setter to create better offensive looks.
With a fun crop of developing talents like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly, they can cover Trae's defensive shortcomings while benefiting from his facilitation. Trae landing here would also likely stifle a bit of George's ball-handling and usage, but like Cooper Flagg, it still looks like that will be a long-term focus area for the Wizards.
Fantasy outlook: Expect elite usage, top-tier assist numbers and the greenest of lights like Jordan Poole last year. Joining a rebuilding franchise wouldn't hamper Young's volume or opportunities in both points and category leagues.
Milwaukee Bucks
In Milwaukee, the calculus changes. The Bucks are desperate to maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo's prime and keep him in Cream City for the long haul. The Damian Lillard experiment failed, leaving Giannis without an All-Star co-pilot. The Bucks need to correct that ASAP, and the idea of pairing Giannis with another dynamic shot creator in Young might work. The Bucks could throw in some veterans like Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis with a future pick(s), but their depth would undoubtedly take a hit.
Fantasy outlook: I don't love the fit. Young's gravity as a scorer and playmaker could actually open up the floor for Giannis, as Lillard did. However, given Giannis's ball-dominant style, it'll take too long to acclimate, and Trae's surely not helping the Bucks improve their defensive rating, which currently sits at 18th in the league. He'd be fine for fantasy, but I prefer alternative destinations.
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is intriguing because it has a void at point guard. Lillard is out for the season, Jrue Holiday is dealing with a calf injury with no timetable for his return and Scoot Henderson hasn't played since injuring his hamstring shortly before preseason. Deni Avdija has been holding it down as their primary ball-handler. Still, through Tuesday, the Blazers rank 27th in 3-point percentage (34.1%), 26th in assists per game (24.8) and are bottom-10 in offensive rating and assist points created - all areas Young can help elevate. A trade would likely involve an underwhelming Henderson and some combination of Jerami Grant, Robert Williams and picks. Given Lillard and Holiday's age and health, Young is a logical solution here.
Fantasy outlook: The prospect of joining a team with a young, ascending core of Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara with a towering frontcourt is a recipe for success. The Blazers are currently in Play-In Tournament territory. They need a floor general who can make things easier and Young can be that guy. That'll give Jrue plenty of time to recover. Deni's assists might dip a bit, but he'll still provide ample counting stats. When factoring in need and fit, Portland stands out as one of the best landing spots for real life and fantasy.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves feel like a dark horse because while the need is evident, it'll cost too much to get the deal over the finish line. Minnesota is at the first apron, so the salary match requirement for Trae makes this move increasingly difficult. After making appearances in the Western Conference Finals in consecutive seasons, adding Young doesn't tip the scale enough for the Wolves to sacrifice their roster depth.
Fantasy outlook: I don't see this trade going down. If it did, a trade to Minnesota wouldn't impact his overall production too much. Playing with an alpha like Anthony Edwards may affect his usage from game-to-game, but again, he'd still be a high-valued asset for points and assists.
Brooklyn Nets
Why not throw in another rebuilding situation? Brooklyn has plenty of greenbacks to pay him a lucrative extension or absorb what's left of his deal. BK is the land of the chuckers, so let's pair him with MPJ and see how it goes. With only a few high-usage players on their extremely young roster, Young would have full command of the offense. Cam Thomas will probably be traded. Even in a scenario that prioritizes player development, getting an All-Star like Trae in the building puts fans in the seats while landing a top-tier shot creator for others.
Fantasy outlook: He'd return early-round value if he joined Brooklyn because his usage rate would be massive, easily 30%+. Turnovers would still be sky high, but the offensive output would be worth it. Having a rim runner like Nic Claxton there could give vibes of early Trae in Atlanta. I wouldn't mind this at all.
Source: “AOL Sports”
