NBA Exec: Teammates 'Hate' Playing With Trae Young; Trade Chances Looking Remote

The Atlanta Hawks went out and pummeled the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday afternoon 126-102. And guess who wasn't in the Atlanta lineup? Yup. Trae Young, whose return last week after missing 22 games sparked a 7-game losing streak. Now, without their contentious point guard on the floor, the Hawks were back to winning.

It's pretty obvious at this point that the Hawks are a better team without him. In fact, according to one NBA executive, his teammates 'hate' playing with Young.

An NBA executive says players ‘hate’ playing with Trae Young

“It’s hard to think of a team that’s trying to win this season that Trae would help, especially once you factor in what that team would be losing from the players they would have to send back as matching salary. He… pic.twitter.com/QD1TEq7IIF
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 31, 2025

It sounds like the trade market for Trae is virtually non-existent, given this newly revealed info. Ryan Russillo quoted the unnamed executive's thoughts:

“It’s hard to think of a team that’s trying to win this season that Trae would help, especially once you factor in what that team would be losing from the players they would have to send back as matching salary. He doesn’t defend. He doesn’t rebound. Guys hate playing with him.”

Young is averaging an eight-year low 19.3 points per game in the 10 contests that he has played this season (the team has gone 2-8 in those games) with 1.5 rebounds per night.

He's a four-time All-Star who led the NBA in assists last season at 11.6 per game. Certainly a great talent, but Young doesn't beget winning.

"It has never been winning basketball for him," Russillo added, emphatically. And Lord help the team that would get him in a trade. "You're dealing with somebody who's going to be coming in, who's not thinking he's done anything wrong, is immediately going to be out there hoping to get his 30 (points)."

The Hawks are currently 16-19 and in 10th spot in the Eastern Conference, just hanging onto a Play-In spot.

One rumor has already emerged that the Dallas Mavericks have zero interest in taking back Trae in any Anthony Davis trade, as the Hawks have been a serious suitor. That has led to a proposed 5-team blockbuster that shuttles Young elsewhere, while landing AD in Atlanta.