The reports about Trae Young being linked to the Spurs aren’t new, but rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama is reportedly “intrigued” by the idea of a trade for Young.
Wemby likes the idea of playing alongside the Atlanta point guard at San Antonio, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon says.
“I will say I have talked to people who know Wemby who have indicated he is at least intrigued by the idea,” MacMahon said on Brian’s Windhorst’s podcast, The Hoop Collective. “Now, intrigued by that idea and pounding the table are two very different things. I have no idea whether Gregg Popovich would be intrigued by the idea.”
Reports of Young being linked to the Spurs first surfaced in February, but HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that the two sides haven’t come close to closing a deal.
“While some have floated the idea of the Spurs trading for Young in the media, league sources said the Hawks and Spurs didn’t have substantive conversations about such a trade before the deadline,” Scotto said. “Time will tell in the coming months if that changes.”
After Sunday’s draft lottery, the Hawk defied the odds and landed the number one in the lottery, while the Spurs will have picks Nos. 4 and 8.
League sources “cast doubt” the lottery has changed the likelihood of seeing Wembanyama and Young link up anytime soon, Scotto says.
Either way, the Hawks haven’t made a meaningful playoff run since 2021, so breaking up their core of Young and Dejounte Murray is very likely.
“There’s a widespread belief among rival executives that the Hawks will break up their backcourt and part with either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason,” Scotto said. “In years past, there was strong resistance to moving Young, but rival executives believe Atlanta will be more open to that conversation this offseason than ever before.”
Young will be owed $89 million over the next two seasons and has a $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
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