NBA Trade Rumors: Trae Young, DeMar DeRozan Are Candidates For Next Star Dealt

NBA teams are constantly on the lookout for the next superstar who could be traded. The latest rumors suggest that either Trae Young or DeMar DeRozan might fit the bill.

Rival executives believe that Young could ask for a trade if the Atlanta Hawks don't become a threat in the playoffs, according to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes. The same report says that executives think DeRozan might want to be sent elsewhere if the Chicago Bulls don't fix their issues.

The idea that Young or DeRozan could be traded sometime in the next year doesn't come out of nowhere. There have been rumors about issues inside the Hawks and Bulls locker rooms. Both teams were quickly dismissed from the first round of last season's playoffs, and they aren't on track for a better finish in 2023.

In early December, The Athletic reported that Young skipped a Hawks' game against the Denver Nuggets because of a run-in between the guard and head coach Nate McMillan. According to the report, there have been various conflicts in Atlanta's locker room throughout the season.

This wasn't the first report about trouble between Young and a key member of the team. In January 2021, The Athletic reported that Hawks forward John Collins was unhappy about the way Young ran the offense. Former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce was fired two months later in part because of a poor relationship with Young.

Young led the Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, seemingly squashing any concerns about the star's fit in Atlanta. Since that run, the Hawks are just one game over .500 in 119 games, including the playoffs. Atlanta traded most of its assets for Dejounte Murray in the offseason, but the team is only the No. 9 seed in the East a few days before Christmas.

Young is shooting a career-low 41.1% from the field and 30.7% from three-point range. The 24-year-old is in the first season of a five-year, $215 million contract.

DeRozan is probably the more likely trade candidate. The 33-year-old is owed $28.6 million next season in what is the final year of his contract. The Bulls are 2.5 games behind the Hawks in the standings, and a trade might end up being what's best for both DeRozan and Chicago.

There's speculation that the Bulls could look to trade some of their high-priced veterans if they don't turn things around soon. Nikola Vucevic is a two-time All-Star and in the final year of his contract. Zach LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million deal with Chicago in the summer.

Over the weekend, a report by The Athletic detailed issues between LaVine and DeRozan. If the Bulls decide to break up the pairing, DeRozan has a better chance to be sent elsewhere. LaVine is six years younger than DeRozan and under contract for much longer.

DeRozan is averaging 25.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Since signing with Chicago a season ago, DeRozan has been one of the most clutch players in the league.

DeRozan tied for 10th in the 2022 NBA MVP voting. Young made his second All-Star team in 2022 and led the league in total points scored.