The Atlanta Hawks are trading four-time All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, according to sources familiar with the deal. This significant trade marks the end of Young’s tenure as the face of the Hawks franchise after more than seven seasons, sending the 27-year-old to his preferred destination in Washington, D.C., where he will assume the role of lead guard for the Wizards.
Young’s move to the Wizards is seen as a strategic step by Washington’s top officials, Michael Winger and Will Dawkins, who have been seeking a cornerstone player to anchor their young roster. The trade is part of the Wizards’ broader development strategy amid a rebuilding phase. Notably, this move reunites Young with Wizards executive Travis Schlenk, who originally drafted him fifth overall in 2018.
Hawks Enter a New Era
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks are poised to usher in a new era with emerging talents like Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher. These players are expected to bring a more dynamic and fluid style of play to the team. McCollum, with his $30.6 million expiring contract, will provide veteran leadership and a valuable plug-and-play option for the Hawks.
The trade also grants Atlanta increased financial flexibility, allowing them to pursue high-value players, such as Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, as they look ahead to the upcoming draft. The Hawks hold a potentially valuable first-round pick, the most favorable of New Orleans and Milwaukee, in June.
Young’s Impact and Future Prospects
Despite the trade, Trae Young remains a significant figure in the Hawks’ history. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837), having led Atlanta to the postseason three times, including a memorable run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021. Young’s departure leaves Onyeka Okongwu as the sole remaining player from that playoff team.
Young’s current contract has $95 million remaining through the 2026-27 season, with a player option available in the offseason. Upon acquiring Young, the Wizards will move $30 million below the luxury tax threshold, open a roster spot for further acquisitions, and clear $46 million in cap space for the summer. However, immediate extension talks with Young are not expected, as both parties will first evaluate his health upon his arrival in Washington.
Young has been dealing with a right MCL sprain and a right quad contusion, which has kept him sidelined for the past six games. His agents, Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison, and Austin Brown, collaborated with Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh to facilitate the trade over the past week, maintaining ongoing dialogue about Young’s future since the Hawks opted not to offer him a contract extension.
Statistical Highlights and Historical Context
In his career, Young has averaged 25.2 points and 9.8 assists, earning an All-NBA selection in the 2021-22 season. He led the league in assists last season, averaging 11.6 per game. Young’s scoring and playmaking prowess are evident, as he has averaged 25 points and 10 assists in two seasons, tying with Russell Westbrook for the second-most such seasons in NBA history, behind Oscar Robertson.
Young has scored or assisted on 48.1 points per game in his career, the second-most in NBA history behind Luka Doncic (48.9).
Young is the second player since the 1976-77 merger to average 25 points per game for a single team in his first 400 career games and be traded before reaching game No. 500. The first was Luka Doncic, the player Young was traded for on draft night in 2018.
Wizards’ Strategic Moves
The Wizards have struggled offensively this season, ranking 27th in offensive efficiency and receiving the sixth-fewest points per game (50.0) and fourth-fewest assists per game (11.9) from their guards. The acquisition of Young aims to address these deficiencies, as the Hawks’ offense consistently ranked in the top 15 with Young on the floor, including the No. 1 offense in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
McCollum, who led Washington in scoring this season with 18.6 points per game, will now bring his experience to Atlanta. The Wizards, currently 10-26 and 14th in the East, had shown signs of improvement, winning five of their last seven games before a recent loss in Philadelphia. They have not made the playoffs since the 2020-21 season.
The Wizards’ 2026 first-round pick is top-eight protected from a previous trade with the New York Knicks. If they retain their own first-round pick, they will send New York second-round picks in 2026 and 2027.
As the trade reshapes both franchises, the impact of these moves will unfold in the coming months, with both teams positioning themselves for future success. The Hawks and Wizards will now focus on integrating their new players and capitalizing on the opportunities this trade presents.
