Why Lou Williams is finally ready for a Trae Young-Hawks trade

A growing chorus around the NBA has begun to question the long-term partnership between Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks, and former Hawks guard Lou Williams is now among those signaling that a separation may be inevitable.

Speaking on the latest episode of FanDuel’s Run It Back, Williams acknowledged that while he once hoped Young would remain the face of the franchise, the realities of the league have shifted his perspective.

“In a perfect world I would like Trae Young to be a part of that, but you know how the NBA works when you get into your eighth season and up and you don’t really get the results that you want, it may be time to look into a different direction,” Williams said. “So, I would be happy for Trae to be happy wherever he is… at this point it’s looking like Trae is going to have to find somewhere else to be happy. And Atlanta is probably going to have to move on and create a new identity.”

Williams emphasized that his comments were not meant to speak for either Young or the organization, but rather reflected his understanding of how front offices operate when sustained success fails to materialize. He framed a potential trade not as a failure, but as a reset that could benefit both sides.

Those comments arrived amid mounting reports suggesting Atlanta is at least open to exploring a move. NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported a growing league-wide belief that the Hawks are willing to listen on Young. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon echoed that sentiment on The Hoop Collective, noting that Atlanta has “indicated that they’re looking for the exit ramp” after declining to pursue a contract extension with the star guard.

“It may be time to look in a different direction… Ultimately, I want to see him happy and the Atlanta Hawks be successful at the same time.”

Lou Williams on Trae Young

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Losses mount as Trae Young’s return sharpens questions about Hawks’ direction

On the court, the timing has only intensified scrutiny. Young, 27, is averaging 19.3 points, 8.9 assists, 1.5 rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point range across 10 appearances, playing 28 minutes per contest. Since returning from injury following nearly two months on the sideline, Atlanta has lost all five games in which he has played.

The Hawks’ struggles continued Monday night with a 140–129 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, extending their losing streak to seven games. The skid has dropped Atlanta to 15–19, further fueling questions about the team’s direction and whether its current core has reached its ceiling.

Young’s contract adds another layer to the discussion. He is earning $45.9 million this season and holds a $48.9 million player option for next year, with free agency looming ahead of the 2027–28 season. Any trade would represent a seismic shift for the franchise, but also an opportunity to recast its roster around a different timeline.

For now, Atlanta will try to halt its slide Wednesday afternoon when it faces the Minnesota Timberwolves on New Year’s Eve at 3 p.m. ET. Whether that game marks a turning point or merely another chapter in a difficult stretch, Williams’ comments underscore a growing belief around the league: the Trae Young era in Atlanta may be approaching its final act.

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