Trae Young is an incredible basketball player. 

Imagine being as good at anything as Trae Young is at this sport. Let’s get that out of the way up top. I don’t want to say anything negative about him in that sense. He is a wonderfully entertaining talent — among the 30 or 40 best to do it in the entire world. And sometimes he can be even better than that.

But can you win an NBA championship with Young as your point guard?

That is the question every team must now ask themselves, if they had not already, since Young is reportedly working with the Atlanta Hawks to find a new landing spot.

If the answer to that question is a flat no, and it is for many, there should be no reason to trade for the four-time All-Star. The point of the game is to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and if you think you cannot win it with him, then why even entertain it? This is a conclusion most of the league may have already reached.

Then, there is the matter of his fit. Young has been, almost exclusively, a ball-dominant point guard, though in the past two seasons his usage rate has dipped below 30%, where it stood for five straight seasons, when he ranked among the league’s leaders. He wants to use a lot of possessions, either to launch an attempt from 30 feet, to get to his floater, or to fire a pass to the perimeter for an assist.

It works quite well. Young gets his numbers, averaging 26.5 points and 10.2 assists over a six-year span, and the Hawks are capable of fielding an offense that peaked as the league’s second-rated outfit in 2021-22, when they won 43 games. That is about where they end up every year, give or take a few wins, and they peaked as an Eastern Conference finalist in 2021, losing to the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks.

That was as good as it got. It was supposed to get better this season, when they gave Young every weapon possible — a two-way wing core of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Zaccharie Risacher, plus centers Onyeka Okongwu and Kristaps Porziņģis — in the wide-open East.

It has not worked. The Hawks are giving up on Young, largely because they have always been worse defensively with him, and now their offense is good enough — with NAW playing so well — to carry that defense into a similar 43-win territory without him. And Young has failed to elevate them any further.

Johnson is their future. His ceiling knows no bounds. He has been tremendous all season offensively, averaging 24-10-8, and he is capable of top-tier defense, too. He is the type of player who, when paired with another two-way star, could take the Hawks to the top of the East, something they have never done in the franchise’s history. Atlanta could very well conjure titles with him at Giannis Antetokounmpo’s side.

But that is a different trade scenario. Here we are discussing Young, whose defense is as deficient as his offense is brilliant, if not more so. This is the thing with him. He gets relentlessly attacked on that end in the playoffs, and it is a problem for his team. He would need a team full of two-way talents — a team like the Minnesota Timberwolves — to answer that question about whether he can play point for a title team.

Which brings us to the Washington Wizards, who are reportedly atop Young’s preferred list of destinations, according to ESPN. The Wizards would not have championship aspirations if they were to land Young, and who reportedly have interest in doing just that. To think they could win a title with Young is to think, in the next few years, as Young ages into his 30s, that some combination of Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington transform into a squad as good as the existing Hawks, and that core enjoys playing with Young more than the current edition of Atlanta.

These are just the facts. Young has the worst defensive rating of anyone in the league who plays as much as he does. You can simultaneously be among the league’s very best on offense and its least-effective on defense. The Hawks have lived this experience for the better part of eight seasons, and they are over it.

So, why would the Wizards want Young? Why might a team that may well be among those who answer no to the question of whether they can win a championship with him still want to pursue him? To get better, of course. Young can do that. He could organize them into a playoff team, as he did in Atlanta, where his Hawks mostly topped out as first-round fodder, save for one fortune-filled trip to the conference finals.

That looks pretty good from where the Wizards are sitting, once again at the bottom of the standings.

Is it wise? That is up for debate. Getting better is also a strategy. Except, in Young, you invite in both improvement to a certain point and a ceiling at that point — a ceiling that is sub-championship level, most likely, if not for the absolute perfect roster around him (and the Wiz are far from fielding that).

Every team must ask: Can we give up what we need to give up to get Young, fit his salary onto our cap sheet and still have enough around him to mask his deficiencies as a player? Washington can talk itself into that scenario. The Wizards have the expiring contracts of CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton to deal, young talent and picks. They could get Young on the cheap, hope he accelerates the development of their core, and pray they make the playoffs before it comes time to pay Johnson, Sarr and the others.

That is a needle to thread. They better not deal anyone good, as they did when they traded Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for the right to draft Carrington. And they better not let the team become The Trae Young Show, where their prospects’ development stagnates as he drives them into the middle.

If the Hawks were to attach draft capital to Young’s contract in exchange for McCollum’s expiring deal, plus whatever matching salary necessary to make the math work, so long as it does not cost the Wizards one of their premier prospects, maybe it still makes sense to add Young for the short term. Young owns a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season. In the meantime, it is hard to imagine him assembling this young core into anything north of a play-in tournament team, though he might still sell some tickets.

So, should the Wiz do it? You would have to be the Trae Young of general managers to make that call.

Four big moves Red Sox must make before 2026 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have made a handful of noteworthy moves this offseason, but there’s still plenty of work to be done before the 2026 MLB season begins.

There are glaring question marks all over the current roster. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said it himself: the roster remains “incomplete” after the club’s trades for right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras.

So, what moves still must be made for Boston to stay competitive in 2026? Here are four big moves the Red Sox must make before Opening Day.

Re-sign Alex Bregman

Bringing Bregman back was reportedly Boston’s top priority heading into the offseason. Yet, the veteran third baseman is still on the market as we begin the new year.

The Red Sox shouldn’t let the Bregman negotiations drag out much longer. His departure would leave a giant question mark at the hot corner and make the Rafael Devers trade look like an even bigger disaster. And outside of fellow free agent Bo Bichette, there aren’t many enticing fallback options if Bregman signs elsewhere.

Bregman, who turns 32 in March, is projected to receive a five- or six-year contract worth somewhere in the $150-$170 million range. The Red Sox have been notoriously reluctant to offer such a deal to position players in their 30s, but they should make an exception, as Bregman was key to the club’s success in 2025.

Sign or trade for a second baseman

The second base position has been a revolving door for the Red Sox in recent years. It’s time to stabilize the position with an upgrade that can help fix the less-than-stellar infield defense.

Boston has been linked to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte in trade rumors, and he’d be a tremendous addition as both a big bat and a solid defender. Unfortunately, it no longer appears that Arizona plans to deal Marte this offseason. So, how should the Red Sox pivot?

There are limited options in free agency. Bichette is expected to move from shortstop to second or third base next season, and he’s undoubtedly the most intriguing option. After him, you’re looking at names like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Luis Arraez, and Willi Castro. Not exactly needle-movers.

If Bichette is off the table, Boston’s best bet is to dip back into the trade market. Perhaps Breslow could land his new second baseman by pulling off yet another deal with his favorite trade partner: the St. Louis Cardinals.

After acquiring Gray and Contreras in separate deals with St. Louis, the Red Sox could look to pry utility man Brendan Donovan from old friend Chaim Bloom. Donovan is a solid defender with MLB experience at all four infield spots and both corner outfield spots. The 29-year-old is coming off his first All-Star campaign, in which he slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 homers and 50 RBI.

Katie Woo of The Athletic recently reported that the Red Sox and Cardinals have discussed a Donovan trade, though no deal was close at the time. Boston would likely have to send more talented young arms to St. Louis, such as left-handed pitching prospects Connelly Early or Payton Tolle. If that’s the asking price, it may be too steep for Breslow and Co.

David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard, and Marcelo Mayer are among the second base options already on the Red Sox’ roster.

Add a left-handed reliever

Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman is currently the only reliable left-handed relief option on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster. With Brennan Bernardino, Steven Matz, Justin Wilson, and Chris Murphy no longer in the mix, adding a southpaw or two to the bullpen should be among Breslow’s priorities.

Taylor Rogers, Danny Coulombe, Jalen Beeks, and Andrew Chafin are among the top free-agent options still out there. Wilson also remains on the market after a better-than-expected debut season in Boston.

Jovani Moran and Shane Drohan could step up as the Red Sox’ go-to left-handed middle-relief options in 2026, but relying on them without bringing in reinforcements would be far too risky.

Find a solution to the outfield logjam

The Red Sox’ crowded outfield should have been sorted out last offseason, but it’s still an issue as we begin 2026. With Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Roman Anthony, Boston has four everyday outfielders on the roster. Masataka Yoshida also factors into the equation as a left fielder/designated hitter.

Moving Rafaela to second base is a potential solution, though the defense would suffer without his elite glove in center field. Another possible fix is putting Anthony in left, Rafaela in center, and Abreu in right with Duran as the DH, but Yoshida’s presence complicates things.

Given the outfield surplus, Duran and Abreu entered this offseason as obvious trade candidates. Either one could still be moved in a blockbuster deal — Kansas City Royals ace Cole Ragans was a rumored target earlier this winter — but Breslow seems comfortable rolling into the 2026 campaign with his current outfield. That would be a mistake.

As the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline nears, the buzz around Trae Young’s potential departure from Atlanta continues to heat up. But this isn’t your typical superstar-on-the-move story driven by contract disputes or locker room unrest. This time, the Hawks have a legitimate basketball reason to consider moving their franchise cornerstone: they’ve been better without him.

Jalen Johnson’s leap as a primary playmaker and the rise of Nickeil Alexander-Walker as one of the offseason’s best acquisitions have given Atlanta something it lacked: a blueprint for the future that doesn’t require Trae. And with Young’s massive salary, defensive flaws and looming cap implications (Hawks are at the first apron), Atlanta has all the ammo it needs to explore a deal. A trade was the inevitable outcome once the Hawks decided not to give Young a contract extension this season.

So, where could he land — and more importantly, what does it mean for fantasy basketball?

Washington Wizards

A Trae-to-D.C. scenario appears to be Young’s preference and likely involves veterans and picks, but the takeaway is simple: Young would walk into a situation with zero friction as the primary engine of the offense. Washington is a team starved for creation and shot-making, and inserting Young into the mix would help a young roster get a table-setter to create better offensive looks.

With a fun crop of developing talents like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly, they can cover Trae’s defensive shortcomings while benefiting from his facilitation. Trae landing here would also likely stifle a bit of George’s ball-handling and usage, but like Cooper Flagg, it still looks like that will be a long-term focus area for the Wizards.

Fantasy outlook: If Young lands here, expect elite usage, top-tier assist numbers and the greenest of lights like Jordan Poole last year. Joining a rebuilding franchise wouldn’t hamper Young’s volume or opportunities in both points and category leagues.

Milwaukee Bucks

In Milwaukee, the calculus changes. The Bucks are desperate to maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime and keep him in Cream City for the long haul. The Damian Lillard experiment failed, leaving Giannis without an All-Star co-pilot. The Bucks need to correct that ASAP, and the idea of pairing Antetokounmpo with another dynamic shot creator in Young might work. The Bucks could throw in some veterans like Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis with a future pick(s), but their depth would undoubtedly take a hit.

Fantasy outlook: I don’t love the fit. Young’s gravity as a scorer and playmaker could actually open up the floor for Antetokounmpo, as Lillard did. However, given Giannis’ ball-dominant style, it’ll take too long to acclimate, and Trae’s surely not helping the Bucks improve their defensive rating, which currently sits at 18th in the league. He’d be fine for fantasy, but I prefer alternative destinations.

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland is intriguing because it has a void at point guard. Lillard is out for the season, Jrue Holiday is dealing with a calf injury with no timetable for his return and Scoot Henderson hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring shortly before preseason. Deni Avdija has been holding it down as their primary ball-handler. Still, through Tuesday, the Blazers rank 27th in 3-point percentage (34.1%), 26th in assists per game (24.8) and are bottom-10 in offensive rating and assist points created — all areas Young can help elevate. A trade would likely involve an underwhelming Henderson and some combination of Jerami Grant, Robert Williams and picks. Given Lillard and Holiday’s age and health, Young is a logical solution here.

Fantasy outlook: The prospect of joining a team with a young, ascending core of Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara with a towering frontcourt is a recipe for success. The Blazers are currently in Play-In Tournament territory. They need a floor general who can make things easier and Young can be that guy. That’ll give Holiday plenty of time to recover. Avdija’s assists might dip a bit, but he’ll still provide ample counting stats. When factoring in need and fit, Portland stands out as one of the best landing spots for real life and fantasy.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves feel like a dark horse because while the need is evident, it’ll cost too much to get the deal over the finish line. Minnesota is at the first apron, so the salary match requirement for Young makes this move increasingly difficult. After making appearances in the Western Conference Finals in consecutive seasons, adding Young doesn’t tip the scale enough for the Wolves to sacrifice their roster depth.

Fantasy outlook: I don’t see this trade going down. If it did, a trade to Minnesota wouldn’t impact Young’s overall production too much. Playing with an alpha like Anthony Edwards may affect his usage from game-to-game, but again, he’d still be a high-valued asset for points and assists.

Brooklyn Nets

Why not throw in another rebuilding situation? Brooklyn has plenty of greenbacks to pay him a lucrative extension or absorb what’s left of his deal. BK is the land of the chuckers, so let’s pair him with Michael Porter Jr. and see how it goes. With only a few high-usage players on their extremely young roster, Young would have full command of the offense. Cam Thomas will probably be traded. Even in a scenario that prioritizes player development, getting an All-Star like Young in the building puts fans in the seats while landing a top-tier shot creator for others.

Fantasy outlook: Young would return early-round value if he joined Brooklyn because his usage rate would be massive, easily 30%+. Turnovers would still be sky high, but the offensive output would be worth it. Having a rim runner like Nic Claxton there could give vibes of early Trae in Atlanta. I wouldn’t mind this at all.