Trae Young has been the centerpiece of the Atlanta Hawks for years, but it is becoming increasingly likely that the team will look to cut ties at some point in the near future. And based on recent results, it may be in their best interest to trade their point guard as soon as possible.
The Hawks Are 0-6 Since Trae Young Returned To The Lineup
Young has played in just 10 games so far this season. After starting the first five contests, the 27-year-old missed a month and a half worth of action, and only recently returned to the lineup. The team went 2-3 in those first five games, and things have only gotten worse since coming back in December 18th.
The Hawks are now 0-6 since Trae Young returned from injury.
Atlanta has given up 125+ points in each of those games… pic.twitter.com/AUnt4OePOr
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 28, 2025
Since Young returned from injury, Atlanta has gone 0–6, and the defensive numbers during that stretch are downright alarming. The Hawks are allowing an average of 125 points per game, a rate that almost guarantees losses no matter how explosive the offense might be. In two of those games, Young finished with single-digit scoring totals.
But more alarming than the individual struggles of Trae Young is how the Hawks have played without him. With their starting point guard in the lineup, they are now 2-8 on the season. When he’s been out, their record is 13-10.
Defense has never been Young’s calling card, but the Hawks’ struggles since his return have brought his limitations on that end into sharper focus. Opposing teams have consistently targeted him in pick-and-roll actions, forcing Atlanta’s help defenders into uncomfortable rotations.
Those breakdowns have led to wide-open threes, uncontested drives, and a defense that looks perpetually one step behind. While it would be unfair to pin every defensive lapse on one player, it’s hard to ignore how dramatically the numbers shift when Young is in the lineup.
Should The Hawks Be Exploring Trade Options?
None of this suggests that Trae Young lacks value or that Atlanta is clearly better off without its franchise player long-term. His offensive ceiling remains among the highest at his position, and his ability to create shots late in the clock is something few players can replicate.
However, the data suggests the Hawks have yet to find a structure that fully accounts for his weaknesses while amplifying his strengths. And if they choose to capitalize on Young’s current value, then Atlanta may be more interested in a trade now than they’ve ever been.
At this point in the season, the numbers tell an uncomfortable story. Atlanta has defended, competed, and won more consistently without Young than with him. Until the Hawks can bridge that gap, the question will linger.
