LA Lakers Rumors: Trae Young could end up with the Lakers if Atlanta Hawks trade him in the offseason

The LA Lakers have set the tone for this year's trade market when they acquired Rui Hachimura for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks. However, it seems like the Lakers have a better chance of getting a third superstar in the offseason.

The latest rumors have linked Trae Young to the Lakers in the event that the Atlanta Hawks decide to trade him. An NBA source told Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus that teams are monitoring Young's situation in Atlanta.

While the Hawks are not planning to trade Young this season, they could part ways with John Collins. If the Hawks decide to part ways with their best player, the Lakers is one of his potential destinations.

"I think Trae will want out after the season," the source said. "The Hawks probably try to get out of John Collins and others by the deadline, but Trae's a long shot. Maybe the (Lakers) in July with his ties to Klutch (Sports)."

Trae Young's current relationship with the Atlanta Hawks remains murky at best. His future with the team could hinge on whether head coach Nate McMillan will continue or not. But at the moment, the All-Star guard has not requested a trade out of Atlanta and the Hawks have not made him available via trade.

As for the link to the LA Lakers, Young is represented by Klutch Sports. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are Klutch clients, and that simple connection warrants speculation. It has been rumored over the past month that another Klutch player, Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, could force his way into the Lakers this season.

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LA Lakers willing to trade first round picks for the right deal

Darvin Ham and Rob Pelinka of the LA Lakers

It seems like LeBron James' subtle hints at the LA Lakers front office to make a trade is working. The Lakers recently acquired Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards, and they might not be done dealing ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline.

General manager Rob Pelinka told reporters on Tuesday that they will continue monitoring the market.

"We're going to continue to monitor the situations with the 29 other teams," Pelinka said. "Our job as a front office is always to look for ways to improve our team both now and in the future. We felt like Rui was the perfect way to do that. That's why we struck early."

Pelinka also mentioned that the Lakers are willing to do anything to improve their roster, including their coveted future first-round picks. However, the GM clarified that they would only make the necessary trade if it turns them into championship contenders.

"The calculus for the Lakers is to win a championship or not," Pelinka said. "There's no in-between or incremental growth. As we analyze opportunities, we have to do it through that lens. If there's an opportunity to get all the way at the end and win a championship, there's no resource we'll hold onto if we feel like that's there."

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