Hawks thriving without Trae as Dyson steps up

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The NBA's mantra is "next man up" when a player goes down and All-Star Trae Young's knee injury, rather than a setback, has turned into an opportunity for both the Atlanta Hawks and Australian star Dyson Daniels.

Daniels, 22, the NBA's Most Improved Player, has led the Hawks to a 4-2 record since Young was injured with seven minutes left against the Brooklyn Nets on October 30. Before Young left the floor at Barclays Center, the Hawks were 1-4. Atlanta won the game in Brooklyn 117-112.

Before Young's injury the Hawks were -8.4 in points differential, since, they are +6.0 with Daniels playing the point and playing more minutes. That's a +14.4 swing.

When Young was in the game, Atlanta was outscored by 8.2 points per 100 possessions and when he wasn't his teammates outscored opponents by 4.8 points per 100 possessions.

Daniels, who signed a USD $100M contract extension before the start of the season, played 39 minutes against the Clippers in the Hawks 105-102 road win yesterday and had eight assists, six points, three boards and three steals. Daniels now holds the Hawks franchise record for the most steals in consecutive games.

"Trae’s a big part of what we do and a leader on that end of the floor," Daniels said post game.

"With him out, it’s about guys stepping up. I’ve had the ball in my hands more, trying to create, get into the paint, and find my teammates.

"I need to keep being aggressive and shoot when I’m open, but overall everyone’s doing well filling that role and contributing."

Without doubt, the Hawks are better defensively without Young on the floor. Daniels is regarded as the best perimeter defender in the league.

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder backed Young as the Hawks' offensive engine post the Clippers win.

"Trae makes everyone’s job easier," Snyder said.

"He and (Jalen Johnson) were one of the best pick-and-roll combinations in the league, and his absence impacts everyone, including Kristaps (Porziņģis).

"Trae can find passing windows — whether it’s a pick-and-pop or transition — and that’s something others are learning to replicate.

"They’ll continue developing that chemistry. I think they can be very good together, especially if Kristaps keeps running in transition.

"That’s an area we’ll keep encouraging."

Young, now 27, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027 and has a USD $48.9M player option for the 2026-27 season. He's out at least until December, which gives more time and a larger sample size for the Hawks front office to assess the almost unthinkable to most Hawks fans — trade Trae and keep on developing Daniels as the permanent point guard.

Who should the Hawks try to trade for?

Exceptionally difficult but not impossible — Detroit Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has a defensive rating of 112.5 points and Young 117.2.

Cunningham, 24, is in the first year of his five-year USD $269M deal while Young has a player option $48.9M. Cunningham's first year will pay him $46.4M and he's got the Pistons rolling to start the 2025-26 season at 9-2 and had a 46-points, 12-rebound, and 11-assist triple double in his last game although those 46 points did come on 45 shots. He led them to 44-38 last season.

It would take draft picks from Atlanta to prize him away:

• Trae Young
• 2026 1st-Round Pick (from ATL via MIL/NOP swap rights) – Hawks convey whichever conveys as their own position after swap resolution (approx. mid-first)
• 2028 1st-Round Pick (ATL own) – unprotected
• 2029 2nd-Round Pick (via CLE)

Why Detroit Says YES

• All-NBA upgrade: Trae gives Detroit instant offensive continuity beside Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren.
• ‍Spacing Fit: His three-point gravity opens lanes for Duren and Thompson.
• ‍Extra Picks: Adds two first-rounders (2026 & 2028) and a 2029 2nd for flexibility.
• ‍Contract Certainty: Trae’s shorter deal (player option ’26-27) gives cap optionality if the experiment fails.

Why Atlanta Says YES

• ‍Timeline Reset: Cade (24), Daniels (22), Johnson (23), Risacher (20) form a four-man core under 25.
• ‍Two-Way Identity: Bigger guards (6′6–6′8″) transform Atlanta's defense
• ‍Contract Control: Cade’s max runs through 2029-30, securing a franchise cornerstone.

What the Hawks would look like post trade

• PG: Dyson Daniels
• SG: Cade Cunningham
• SF: Zaccharie Risacher
• PF: Jalen Johnson
• C: Kristaps Porziņģis (Unrestricted free agent next season).
• Bench & Depth: Nickeil Alexander-Walker; Vit Krejci; Caleb Houstan; Onyeka Okongwu; Asa Newell; N’Faly Dante; Mouhamed Gueye; Nikola Durisic; Jacob Toppin; Keaton Wallace

What the Pistons would look like post trade

The Oklahoma City Thunder, three years ago. The Pistons would have 11 first round picks or swap rights through 2032 (+ multiple seconds) plus prime Trae Young with contract flexibility.

It's a clean, balanced blockbuster: Detroit gets Trae Young and two premium firsts, while Atlanta secures a younger franchise cornerstone (Cunningham) who fits its size-driven, defensive system and timeline.

About the Author

Peter Brown is the head coach of the Sydney Comets Women’s Youth League team in the Waratah Basketball League in NSW. He is also the assistant coach for the Comets NBL1 women’s team in the NBL East Conference. Peter is a 30-year journalist, starting as a sports reporter at the NT News in the early 1990s. He played junior basketball for the Northern Territory at national championships from U16 to U20 and for the Territory’s senior men’s team at numerous international tournaments. Peter has been a basketball fan since the early '80s, especially the NBA. Basketball is his passion — and his opinions his own. Email peter.brown@basketball.com.au with feedback.