Fascinating Trae Young revelation proves the Spurs were right all along

After months of speculation, the San Antonio Spurs opted not to trade for Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. Instead, they drafted Stephon Castle fourth overall and signed Chris Paul, giving them both a long-term and immediate option at point guard.

That decision has left the Hawks with few options regarding their best player, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

While they owe the San Antonio Spurs an unprotected pick in 2025 and 2027 as well as a pick swap in 2026, they shopped Young this summer only to find a lackluster trade market for their All-Star.

The San Antonio Spurs were seemingly right to pass on Trae Young

Despite San Antonio's struggles at point guard last season, they successfully addressed that issue this summer, for far cheaper than what it may have cost to trade for Young. As a result, the Spurs were seemingly right to pass on Young, at least in the short term.

Paul should be the perfect stop-gap option, as he is an excellent pick-and-roll point guard who can set up star Victor Wembanyama for both lobs or open threes. Players such as Devin Vassell should also thrive, with Paul and Wembanyama drawing plenty of attention with their two-man game.

Paul's impact on the Spurs' two best players could be huge and help them make big leaps next season and help the team do the same. Young may have had a similar effect on San Antonio's roster, but he might have cost them multiple first-round picks, including the Hawks' juicy unprotected 2025 first and Keldon Johnson.

Keeping those picks, Johnson, and still improving was a great move. That also puts the Hawks into a corner with Young only under contract for two more seasons, and if they don't trade him this season, then he could have much more say where he plays.

He could have his agent hint that he wouldn't sign an extension with an interested team, effectively killing a deal and limiting Atlanta's potential return. There is even the possibility that the Spurs will circle back after next season to see if Atlanta's asking price hasn't softened. Nevertheless, they were right to steer clear of trading for Young this summer, and they are better positioned for it.