Entering the 2018 NBA Draft, Trae Young drew comparisons to two-time MVP Steph Curry. However, not all of the comparisons have painted the two in a favorable light. Coming into the league, Curry’s physical limitations quickly took the forefront of the conversation. Despite the question mark, Golden State seized the opportunity and changed the course of history.
It’s this story line that set the stage for Young entering Draft Day.
Throughout his collegiate career, Young averaged 27.4 points per game alongside 8.7 assists. Behind the numbers which paced the country, the point guard became a household name. Quickly rising through the ranks, fans found no middle ground with Young — one either loved his style of play or criticized it.
Regardless, the Dallas Mavericks pulled the trigger opting to select Trae Young with the No. 5 overall pick.
Trae Young joins Blake Griffin (1st overall in 2009) as the only players from the University of Oklahoma selected in the top 5 in the last 30 years. pic.twitter.com/OyCZK3vTfK
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 22, 2018
Yet, trade rumors continued to swirl moments before Adam Silver walked the stage to make it official. As the dust settled, it was made clear the Mavericks target was Luka Doncic.
As part of the Atlanta-Dallas agreement, Dallas will make the fifth pick for the Atlanta Hawks — Trae Young — and send him to Hawks, sources said. Hawks GM Travis Schlenk gets his man in Young.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
With the draft and trade, Young will be sent to the Atlanta Hawks alongside a 2019 first round pick. In return the Mavs receive a center piece in Doncic. The move is expected to become official later this evening as the details are hammered out.