This is a prediction.
The Atlanta Hawks are 13-11, sitting ninth in the East. They built a strong 13-8 start in November and played well on the road, but a three-game skid has exposed some issues. Injuries have dragged down their momentum, especially on offense.
Trae Young has been out since late October with an MCL sprain and will likely miss at least another week. His absence has forced Atlanta to rethink what this group can realistically become.
If the front office wants to open a real title window in the future, this might be the moment to consider a major swing.
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Trae Young to the Raptors: Potential Trade Idea
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Collin Murray-Boyles, 2026 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick
Toronto Raptors Receive: Trae Young
Why Atlanta Should Explore a Trae Young Trade
If the Hawks decide Young no longer fits their long-term plan, they risk losing him for nothing in free agency if he declines his player option. Trading him now avoids that outcome and gives them a chance to rebuild around a clearer two-way identity.
Their stretches without Young this season have posted slightly better net efficiency, partly because the defense stiffened up and the offense shares the load instead of leaning on a single creator.
Either way, parting ways with Young would come down to timing, value, and fit.
What Immanuel Quickley Brings to Atlanta
Immanuel Quickley would step in as a day-one starter for Atlanta and would keep their offense organized. Toronto has leaned on him all season, and he’s produced 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists with strong efficiency.
His 47.1 percent shooting overall and 39.1 percent from deep back up his rise into the league’s top group of playmakers. He also fits the exact gaps the Hawks have been trying to fill, with his quick-release shooting, clean passing, natural pick-and-roll feel, and energetic defense that plays bigger than his size.
He’s already put together standout nights, including 31 against Charlotte and a 23 and 8 outing against Portland.
Ochai Agbaji’s Fit as a Defensive Wing
Ochai Agbaji built real momentum last year and now plays like a steady 3-and-D wing you can trust. In 2024-25, He put up 10.4 points and 3.8 rebounds while knocking down threes at almost a 40 percent clip.
He gets most of his buckets by moving without the ball and spacing the floor, which fits perfectly next to a guard like Quickley.
On the defensive end, he reads actions well and racks up deflections. He’s not the guy who erases an assignment on his own, but he stays sharp, plays within the scheme, and would give Atlanta a defensive presence on the wing.
Collin Murray-Boyles as a Long-Term Piece
Atlanta took Collin Murray-Boyles 9th overall in 2025, and he’s already shown enough flashes to make you believe he can turn into something real. He earned a reputation at South Carolina as a tough, mobile forward who could handle a little bit of everything.
He’s carried that into his rookie year. He’s putting up 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 18 minutes a night, and he’s doing it with eye-catching efficiency. He’s hitting 54.8 percent from the floor and 45.8 percent from deep, even if the attempts are limited.
This is the kind of young piece Atlanta should be investing in.
How the Trade Impacts Atlanta
Trae Young’s absence would strip Atlanta of its star power. The real question is whether his presence still drives winning with the way this roster is built.
Immanuel Quickley would step in and stabilize the backcourt on both ends. Ochai Agbaji can boost the wing group. Collin Murray-Boyles is a young, moldable forward.
Altogether, this trade adds depth and a few picks, but it doesn’t guarantee a short-term jump.
How the Trade Impacts Toronto
Toronto would land an elite playmaker without tearing apart the roster. Quickley has been strong, but Trae Young warps defenses in a way few guards can. Put him next to Scottie Barnes, and you get a sharp inside-out engine that can control games.
A 15-9 start shows the Raptors are trending up, and a chance to add a star while keeping the core intact doesn’t come around often. From their side, this move would lift their ceiling without stripping away the identity they’ve built.
