Trae Young shocker rocks the NBA
Trade details emerge
According to ESPN, the Atlanta Hawks are trading four time All Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran guard CJ McCollum and wing Corey Kispert. The deal is still pending formal league approval.
The trade sends the 27 year old Young to what sources described as his preferred destination, Washington, where he is expected to become the Wizards’ lead guard. No draft compensation was included in the initial report.
Neither team had issued an official statement at the time the trade details became public.
Why Washington made the move
According to ESPN’s reporting, Wizards executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins have been searching for a foundational guard to anchor their young roster during an ongoing rebuild. The organization views Young as a long term offensive engine capable of accelerating player development around him.
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The move also reunites Young with Wizards executive Travis Schlenk, who played a key role in bringing him to Atlanta during the 2018 NBA Draft.
After completing the trade, Washington is expected to sit roughly 30 million dollars below the luxury tax, creating flexibility for additional roster moves. The Wizards are not expected to enter immediate contract extension talks with Young and plan to evaluate his health upon arrival, according to sources cited by ESPN.
Atlanta turns toward a new era
For the Atlanta Hawks, the trade marks a clear philosophical shift. According to ESPN, Atlanta is now positioned to build around a younger core that includes Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher and Nickeil Alexander Walker.
CJ McCollum arrives as a veteran stabilizer and locker room presence, while also carrying a 30.6 million dollar expiring contract that provides financial flexibility. The Hawks could use that flexibility to pursue a major salary acquisition in the coming months.
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Atlanta is also set to control a highly valuable first round pick in June, receiving the more favorable selection between New Orleans and Milwaukee.
Context behind the decision
According to ESPN, trade discussions accelerated after the Hawks elected not to offer Young a contract extension. Young’s representatives worked with general manager Onsi Saleh on potential scenarios over the past week, following months of dialogue about his long term future with the team.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder acknowledged uncertainty after a recent game, saying he was not at liberty to address questions related to the situation before league approval.
At the time of the trade, Atlanta sat ninth in the Eastern Conference and had struggled in games Young appeared in this season.
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Young’s legacy in Atlanta
Trae Young leaves Atlanta as one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. According to information from The Associated Press, he is the Hawks’ all time leader in three pointers and assists and guided the team to three postseason appearances, including a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021.
He averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists this season while dealing with lingering knee and quad injuries. Despite the shortened stretch, his career averages stand at 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game.
Teammates publicly praised Young following the news, with forward Mouhamed Gueye calling him an Atlanta legend, according to The Associated Press.
What this means for both teams
For Washington, the trade represents a calculated gamble on star power and offensive leadership. For Atlanta, it is a definitive step toward flexibility, youth and a different competitive timeline.
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The full impact of the deal will become clearer once league approval is finalized and both teams begin reshaping their rotations around the move.
Sources: ESPN, The Associated Press, Shams Charania
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