A drastic change is necessary for the Atlanta Hawks. They have lost seven consecutive games which has seen them drop to 9th in the East. Each loss diminishes their chance at playoff qualification at a quicker pace. But they will have their work cut out when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. The Hawks need their top players both healthy and performing at their uppermost capabilities to have a chance.

Before the game, the Hawks dropped their latest injury report. Trae Young is probable with right hamstring tightness. Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic (personal reasons), Clint Capela (back spasms), and Jalen Johnson (torn labrum) remain out. With the team struggling to keep up in the East, Young’s availability could make or break their chances.

Young provides the Hawks’ offense with its vital center despite his injury. He is the assists leader with 11.4 APG, while he averages 22.5 points as well. But his recent performances have not been enough to help Atlanta escape their ongoing struggles. The Hawks suffered a severe defeat at the hands of the Cavs who won 137-115 while Young struggled during the game. Young hit only 5 of his 16 field goal attempts while ending his game with 15 points combined with 10 assists.

On top of that, Young didn’t make the All-Star team this year. A lot of fans think he got snubbed, and honestly, it’s a fair argument. He’s still one of the best playmakers in the league, but voters left him off the roster. That’s sparked even more speculation about his future in Atlanta. If the Hawks keep losing, could Young end up on the trade block? Some insiders think so. Teams in need of a star guard will definitely be watching.

For now, Young hasn’t given any signs that he wants out. But with the trade deadline coming up, things could get interesting. Against Indiana, he has to step up. The Pacers are rolling right now. They’re sitting at 5th in the East and have one of the best offenses in the league. If Young isn’t at full strength—or if he struggles again—the Hawks’ chances of snapping this losing streak take a major hit.

Young’s health conditions remain the primary focus yet Bogdan Bogdanovic’s trade possibilities have created additional buzz throughout the league.

Trae Young gears up for action as Bogdan Bogdanovic’s trade saga takes a wild turn

The Serbian sharpshooter has been absent from recent games because of personal circumstances and that has led to trade speculations. Reports indicate that both the Suns and the Heat are actively pursuing Bogdan Bogdanovic before the trading deadline. The 32-year-old guard remains an effective scorer, averaging 16.1 points per game.

However, his efficiency has declined this season because he shoots just 37.1% from the field while his three-point accuracy rests at 30.1%, which stands lower than his career averages.

The Hawks have a tough call to make. Trading him could help them get future assets or add depth, but it would also weaken an already struggling roster. Without him, the Hawks’ bench has been awful. In their last game against Cleveland, De’Andre Hunter was the only bright spot. He dropped 25 points. The rest of the bench? A combined 14 points. That’s just not going to cut it.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Hawks have some big decisions to make. Do they rebuild around Young, or is it time for a bigger shake-up? If this losing streak keeps up, more major moves could be coming.

For now, all eyes are on tonight’s game. Can Young power the Hawks past the Pacers? And will trade talks around Bogdanovic heat up even more? Atlanta’s season is on the edge—and they need a win before it’s too late.