The NBA world could be rocked by a blockbuster three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Atlanta Hawks. The trade could involve some of the biggest names in the league, including Trae Young and Kyrie Irving, while young players such as D’Angelo Russell and Josh Green, along with first-round picks, could be involved.
It is not often that some of the most talented players in the league end up getting traded. Young, who has been a standout player for the Hawks, is widely regarded as one of the best point guards in the league on the offensive side of the floor after posting 26.2 PPG and 10.2 APG. Irving, who has been a star for the Dallas Mavericks, is known for his incredible scoring ability and clutch performances despite the frustrating season he suffered in his first year with the Mavericks. Russell, who was acquired by the Lakers this season, is one of the more s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed point guards in the NBA despite going through struggles in the playoffs.
A blockbuster trade between the three aforementioned teams could have a major impact on the league, as it will shake up the balance of power in the Western and Eastern Conference. The Lakers, who have struggled to replicate their title success from 2020, are hoping that Irving will be the missing piece they need to make a deep playoff run. The Mavericks, who have been contending for several years, are hoping that Young will be the cornerstone of their franchise for years to come alongside Luka Doncic. And the Hawks, who have been struggling to find their footing in the Eastern Conference, are hoping that Russell will help them turn things around by kickstarting a rebuild.
Without further ado, here are the trade details that see two of the best point guards in the world change teams while the Atlanta Hawks kickstart a rebuild. There won’t be a bigger deal this offseason, and it could benefit every team involved.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kyrie Irving (Sign and Trade)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: D’Angelo Russell (Sign and Trade), Josh Green, 2026 First-Round Pick From Dallas, 2029 First-Round Pick From Los Angeles
This trade package would shake up the NBA because two superstar players moving across conferences would make the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks title contenders while the Atlanta Hawks rebuild and start focusing on the draft. Here is why this deal works for every team involved in this blockbuster deal.
Los Angeles Lakers Create A Big Three
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in the market for a superstar point guard to pair with LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving could be the perfect fit. Irving is a proven winner, having won an NBA championship with James in Cleveland, and he has consistently been one of the league’s top point guards throughout his career. One of the biggest reasons the Lakers should pursue Irving is his ability to create his own shot. James has always been at his best when he has a dynamic scorer to play off of, and Irving fits that bill perfectly.
Irving is still one of the best isolation scorers in the league, and he can create his own shot from anywhere on the court. This would take a lot of pressure off of James, who has often had to carry the load for the Lakers on offense while Anthony Davis goes through inconsistencies with his play and physical health. Another reason the Lakers should pursue Irving is his ability to shoot from beyond the arc. The Lakers struggled with their outside shooting last season, and Irving would provide a much-needed boost in that area. Irving is a career 39.1% shooter from three-point range, and he has shown the ability to hit clutch shots from deep in big moments.
The Lakers need to go all-in next season because that could be the final run that King James has before hanging it up. LeBron is considering retirement at this moment in time, and as long as they can retain Anthony Davis and only lose D’Angelo Russell and the 2029 first-round pick, having a long and laborious rebuild after James retires could be worth it. If the Lakers are serious about winning another championship with James, they need to be aggressive in pursuing top-tier talent. Irving would be a game-changer for the Lakers, and he could help take them to the next level. If the Lakers can make a deal happen, they should do everything in their power to make it a reality.
An Exciting Duo In Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks famously passed up on Trae Young for a chance to draft Luka Doncic, and the rest is history because the Slovenian has proven to be a better player in most areas of the court. However, the Mavericks have a chance to pair the two superstar offensive players. The Dallas Mavericks have been in search of a dynamic point guard to lead their team and Trae Young could be the perfect fit alongside Luka. Young has proven himself to be a prolific scorer and playmaker in his young career, averaging 26.2 PPG and 10.2 APG in the 2022-2023 season. His ability to create his own shot and make plays for his teammates would be a valuable asset to the Mavericks’ offense.
Dallas lost out on paying Jalen Brunson, a more willing passer than Kyrie Irving, and the team struggled because of that. Young is a far more willing playmaker than Irving and is more talented than Brunson as well, meaning he might fit perfectly well alongside Luka Doncic. Another factor to consider is Young’s age. At just 24 years old, he has plenty of room for growth and development. Pairing him with superstar Luka Doncic could create a dynamic duo that could dominate the league for years to come. The Mavericks would be acquiring a player with a high ceiling and the potential to become one of the best point guards in the league.
The opportunity to acquire a 24-year-old All-Star is very rare for the Dallas Mavericks because they struggle to acquire top-tier free agents and won’t be rebuilding through the draft anytime soon because of Luka’s presence. Kyrie has proven to be the wrong fit for the franchise based on last season, and moving forward with Irving doesn’t make the most sense when Trae Young could be available. With two players under 25 years old as the franchise cornerstones, the Mavericks could be onto something for the foreseeable future.
Atlanta Finally Rebuild And Start Tanking
The Atlanta Hawks have been a team in transition over the past few seasons, and with the emergence of some young talent on their roster, they may be looking to start a full-scale rebuild. While Trae Young has been a bright spot for the team, there are several reasons why trading him could be a smart move for the franchise. Trae Young is a highly sought-after player in the league, and his trade value is likely at an all-time high. By trading him now, the Hawks could potentially acquire a package of assets that could help them build for the future. This could include 27-year-old D’Angelo Russell, 22-year-old Josh Green, and two first-round picks.
While Trae Young is undoubtedly a talented player, he has yet to prove that he can lead a team to sustained success in the NBA. The Hawks have struggled to win games over the past few seasons, and while Young has put up impressive individual numbers, he has not been able to translate that into team success. By trading him, the Hawks could potentially acquire players who are better suited to their system and could help them win games in the long term. Losing in the first round of the playoffs this season could be the final straw for the franchise.
Whether the rumors of Trae Young’s attitude and playing style harming the locker room are true or not, the All-Star point guard probably belongs elsewhere because he isn’t the answer going forward for Atlanta. Even if the point guard is only 24 years old, the Hawks should rebuild immediately around Josh Green and possibly move D’Angelo Russell for more assets to pair with two first-round picks. If the rumors are true that Atlanta has the green light to trade Trae Young, the chance to add two first-round picks and two solid assets as players could be the best way to a successful rebuild.
