The Atlanta Hawks were about to play in a crucial NBA tournament game on the road against the Miami Heat on Monday night, and star point guard Trae Young was addressing trade rumors that have become a hot topic recently. .
A report by The Ringer on Monday indicated that the Hawks’ front office was given the «green light» to consider a trade for Young.
But it was all business for Young before the game, as he was set to take on the Heat on Monday night.
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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young shoots during the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers on March 25, 2023 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
«It could be false, it could be true. You never know,» Young said, via The Athletic.
Young added that rumors come up «all the time.» During the TNT broadcast of the Hawks-Heat game, it was reported that the Hawks told Young that the rumors were not true.
HAWKS’ TRAE YOUNG IS SENT OFF FOR DIFFICULT PASS TO REFEREE
Young has been a cornerstone for Atlanta since being drafted fifth out of Oklahoma in the 2018 NBA Draft, making two All-Star Games and making the 2021-22 All-NBA list in his five years with the equipment.
But the 2022-23 season has been a bit of a tumultuous one for the Hawks despite finishing eighth in the east with a chance to play in the first round of the NBA playoffs if they can win one of these play-in tournament games. .
Head coach Nate McMillan was fired by the team, and Quin Snyder replaced him in February. And rifts between McMillan and Young were documented throughout the year, with some questioning whether Young has the right leadership qualities for the locker room.
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, left, defends Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young during the second half of a game on March 11, 2023 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz)
Still, Young plans to stay in the moment and focus on what may or may not happen in the offseason.
«After the game, if the game doesn’t go the way you want tonight, what’s going to happen? You can’t focus on stuff like that. It messes with your head and then you’re not ready to play. So, me, I’m not worried about that. I’m going to let my game play. After the season, whatever happens, happens. I mean, I’m focused on the next task at hand. I can’t worry about outside noise or whatever false stories are coming out , or whatever is true, whatever.”
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However, a 2021 playoff run by the Hawks showed that Young can take the load offensively.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young in action against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on March 25, 2023. (Brett Davis/USA Today Sports)
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Young signed a five-year, $215.2 million extension before the 2022-23 season.