Atlanta Hawks Trade Trae Young
In a surprising move, the Atlanta Hawks traded their star player Trae Young to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, during a game where he was not in uniform due to recovery from a quad injury. Young is notable for being a four-time All-Star point guard. The Hawks acquired guards CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in return, marking a significant chain reaction in the NBA as the February 5 trade deadline approaches.
New Orleans Pelicans’ Situation
Interestingly, this transaction unfolded while the Hawks were facing off against the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, is not expected to be active in trades, particularly concerning their star player, Zion Williamson.
Reports suggest that the Pelicans are reassuring other teams that key players including Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, along with promising rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears, are not on the trading block. The New Orleans franchise is currently struggling, sitting at an abysmal 8-31 record, which is the second worst in the NBA.
Coaching Changes and Team Performance
The team had a difficult season that saw the ousting of head coach Willie Green, who was relieved of his duties just 12 games into what would have been his fifth season. James Borrego, who previously led the Charlotte Hornets and was an assistant on Green’s staff, stepped in as the interim coach.
The Pelicans have been on a downward trajectory, currently facing a nine-game losing streak following a brief five-game winning run last month that offered fans a glimmer of hope. The idea of retaining rookies like Queen and Fears is understandable given their potential; Queen is averaging nearly 13 points per game and has recorded impressive performances, including multiple double-doubles and a standout 33-point triple-double against the Spurs. Meanwhile, Fears, who is just 19, is showing his prowess as well, with averages of over 14 points and multiple games where he has surpassed 20 points.
Future Prospects
Both rookies were acquired under the leadership of the new Pelicans president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, who has taken the reins after their previous executive decisions. In contrast, Williamson, a two-time All-Star himself and still only 25, has been the focal point of New Orleans’ strategies. He is currently healthy and has been performing well, having recently played 13 consecutive games, averaging 24.5 points with notable efficiency.
Speculation about the possibility of the Pelicans making aggressive moves at the deadline was fueled by their ongoing struggles and the fact that they owe a future first-round pick to the Hawks due to the acquisition of Queen in last year’s draft. However, with Haynes’ report suggesting a commitment to their current roster, it appears the organization is opting to keep their promising young talent and wait for future opportunities, rather than making rash decisions at the deadline.
