Why Did Atlanta Trade Luka Dončić? A Clear Look for Hawks Fans in the ATL

When you live in Atlanta, it’s almost impossible to talk basketball without someone eventually asking: “Why did Atlanta trade Luka?”

The 2018 NBA Draft night swap of Luka Dončić and Trae Young is one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, especially for fans watching from State Farm Arena or sports bars across the city. Understanding the trade helps make sense of where the Atlanta Hawks are today and what the front office was trying to build for this city.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown of why the Hawks made that trade, how it looks now, and what it means if you follow the team from Midtown, Buckhead, the West End, or anywhere around the metro area.

The Basics: What Exactly Was the Luka–Trae Trade?

On June 21, 2018, during the NBA Draft:

• The Dallas Mavericks selected Luka Dončić with the No. 3 overall pick.
• The Atlanta Hawks selected Trae Young with the No. 5 overall pick.
• The two teams agreed to a trade:
  • Atlanta sent Luka Dončić (No. 3 pick) to Dallas
  • Dallas sent Trae Young (No. 5 pick) and a future first-round pick to Atlanta

That future first-round pick eventually became Cam Reddish (No. 10 pick in the 2019 draft, via the Dallas pick).

So from Atlanta’s side, the Hawks front office essentially chose:

Why Did Atlanta Make the Trade? Key Reasons from a Hawks Perspective

1. The Front Office Believed Trae Young Fit the Vision for Atlanta

At that time, the Hawks’ front office, led by then-general manager Travis Schlenk, had a clear vision:

• Build a high-powered, three-point-heavy offense
• Find a primary ball handler and playmaker
• Mirror some of the style that had changed the league: deep shooting, pace, and spacing

Trae Young was seen as:

• An elite shooter with deep range, reminiscent of smaller, dynamic guards
• A high-level passer able to run pick-and-roll and create for others
• Someone who could be the face of a rebuild and grow with a young core

From an Atlanta lens, the team wanted a star who could:

• Electrify State Farm Arena
• Draw attention in a competitive sports city that already has the Falcons, Braves, and Atlanta United
• Help attract free agents who like to play fast and shoot a lot of threes

The Hawks front office believed that Trae Young’s style would connect with fans and match the direction they wanted to take the team.

2. The Extra First-Round Pick Was a Big Part of the Decision

It wasn’t just a one-for-one swap of Young for Dončić.

Atlanta also received a future first-round pick, which later became:

• Cam Reddish (No. 10 in the 2019 NBA Draft)

Why this mattered to Atlanta at the time:

• The Hawks were entering a rebuilding phase
• Extra draft capital was very valuable
• More picks meant:
  • More chances to land another young star
  • More flexibility for future trades
  • A deeper, cheaper roster while building around a core player

In a rebuilding market like Atlanta, where the team wasn’t a top free-agent destination yet, the draft was a central tool.

So in 2018, the thinking wasn’t just “Do we prefer Young or Dončić?” It was:

From that angle, the Hawks chose the package rather than the single player.

3. Roster Fit and Style: How It Looked in the Context of the Hawks’ Rebuild

The Hawks regular season record at the time showed a team clearly in transition. Atlanta needed:

• A primary offensive engine
• A player to run a modern, spread offense
• A young core that could grow together

The roster was not close to contention, and the organization was reshaping its identity.

Trae Young’s perceived fit:

• A floor general to direct the offense
• A player comfortable as a full-time lead ball handler
• Someone whose passing and deep shooting could open up the floor for teammates

Luka Dončić, even on draft night, was viewed as:

• A big playmaker with strong skills and pro experience in Europe
• Very talented, but some teams questioned:
  • His athleticism in the NBA
  • How his style would translate
  • How quickly he’d adapt

Atlanta ultimately decided that Young’s skillset better matched the stylistic identity they wanted to create for their rebuild.

How the Trade Looks Now (From an Atlanta Fan’s View)

Time has made the trade one of the most discussed topics among Hawks fans across Atlanta, from barbershops on the Southside to sports talk around the BeltLine.

Here are some key realities today:

Trae Young’s Impact on Atlanta

Trae Young has:

• Become the face of the franchise
• Led the Hawks to a deep playoff run, including a memorable trip to the Eastern Conference Finals
• Delivered big performances in high-pressure games, which Atlanta fans watched closely at State Farm Arena and local sports bars

From a city perspective:

• He brought national attention back to the Hawks
• Helped make Hawks games a bigger event in Downtown Atlanta
• Gave the team a marketable star young fans could rally around

Luka Dončić’s Rise in Dallas

Luka has:

• Developed into one of the top players in the NBA
• Put up major scoring and playmaking numbers
• Established himself as a frequent subject of national conversation about MVP-level players

This naturally fuels the question in Atlanta:

The answer depends on how you measure success and what you value:

• Pure individual talent? Luka is often rated higher.
• Fit with Atlanta’s chosen path and identity at the time? The front office believed Trae Young plus extra assets was the better long-term route.

Simple Side-by-Side Snapshot (From Atlanta’s Angle)

Below is a simplified summary of what the trade turned into for Atlanta fans:

This doesn’t declare a “winner,” but it shows clearly what Atlanta was choosing.

What This Means If You Live in or Visit Atlanta

1. Understanding the Hawks’ Long-Term Plan

When you go to State Farm Arena for a game or follow the Hawks from around the metro, it helps to know that the Luka–Trae trade was not random. It was part of:

• A deliberate rebuild
• A plan to build around a lead guard
• An effort to stack young assets and reshape the team

Whether you agree with the decision or not, it reflects a clear strategy by the Hawks’ front office.

2. Why This Trade Is Still Talked About So Much in Atlanta

In Atlanta, the conversation keeps going because:

• Both players became stars
• Luka’s success elsewhere naturally raises “What if?” questions
• Trae Young’s ups and downs are closely watched by fans who remember the trade details

If you hear debates about “Luka vs. Trae” at:

• Downtown sports bars
• Watch parties around Atlantic Station
• Pre-game tailgates or fan events near State Farm Arena

they almost always trace back to this 2018 draft night decision.

3. How to Follow and Learn More as an Atlanta Fan

If you’re in Atlanta and want to deepen your understanding of the Hawks’ choices, including the Luka trade, you can:

• Attend games at State Farm Arena

  • 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Seeing how the team is built and how Trae runs the offense in person gives a clearer sense of the original vision.

• Listen to local sports radio and coverage focused on Atlanta teams

  • Local hosts and analysts frequently break down the history and impact of major moves like this trade from an Atlanta-first perspective.

• Visit Hawks community events and fan gatherings

  • The team often hosts events in and around metro Atlanta, where long-time fans and newer supporters share their views on the trade and the team’s direction.

None of this changes what happened on draft night, but it can make the decision feel more understandable in the broader story of Atlanta basketball.

In plain terms: Atlanta traded Luka Dončić because the Hawks front office believed Trae Young plus an extra first-round pick was the best foundation for their rebuild and the style of basketball they wanted in this city.

Whether you’re a lifelong Atlantan, a new resident, or just visiting and catching a game, knowing the reasoning behind that trade helps you follow how the Hawks got to where they are today—and why the Luka vs. Trae conversation will probably always have a special place in Atlanta sports debates.