Trae Young Is A Casualty Of The Changing NBA

The Trae Young era in Atlanta appears to be over, and not in a way that will leave anyone happy.

The Hawks and their diminutive point guard—who can be a free agent this summer or exercise a $49 million one-year option—didn't agree to a contract extension in the offseason, leaving both sides with a great deal of uncertainty. The uncomfortable situation attained a kind of clarity when Young sprained his MCL in October and missed 22 games: This instantly made the Hawks better and more dynamic, because they no longer had to cover for Young's considerable defensive shortcomings. If Atlanta's front office still needed more evidence, they got it quickly thereafter, as the team lost and surrendered at least 126 points in the five games Young has played in since his return. Mercifully, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday evening that Young's representatives are yanking the ripcord: In scoopster patois, the two sides "have begun positive and collaborative talks over the past week on finding a resolution."