Atlanta Hawks commerce four-time All-Star Trae Young to struggling rivals in weird transfer
The Atlanta Hawks are trading star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, according to reports.
Young, a four-time NBA All-Star, will head to Washington in exchange for veteran forward Corey Kispert and shooting guard CJ McCollum, according to ESPN.
Young was on the Hawks bench on Wednesday night – as they took on the Pelicans – when the trade was announced and was seen leaving mid-game shortly after.
It marks the first time time in his NBA career that Young will play for a team other than the Hawks, having spent eight years with the franchise.
At the start of the week, it emerged that Young and his team had been pushing for a trade and were working with the Hawks to find a solution for the 27-year-old.
The decision to move on follows a fractured summer where the Hawks front office reportedly elected not to offer Young a contract extension.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards
Young had spent his entire eight-year NBA career with the Hawks after being drafted in 2018
Since being drafted by the Hawks back in 2018, Young has been the face of the franchise and has since been named an NBA All-Star on four separate occasions.
Young famously led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, which they lost, but the team has struggled to replicate that postseason success since.
This season, Young has struggled with injuries and was recently sidelined with a right quad contusion, having previously dealt with a right MCL sprain.
However, in his absence, the Hawks have actually performed better without him.
Atlanta hold a 15-12 record without their All-Star guard in the team, compared to a dismal 2-8 record when he has been in the lineup this season.
The team’s defense has also proved to be more robust without Young, allowing nearly 10 fewer points-per-game in his absence.
Despite the injuries, Young remains one of the league’s most prolific playmakers, having led the NBA in assists last season with 11.6 per game.
The trade signifies Atlanta’s focus on building around rising star Jalen Johnson, who was recently likened to NBA legend Scottie Pippen by LeBron James.
Johnson has exploded this season, averaging 24 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, proving he can shoulder the load as the team’s primary outlet.
The Hawks will receive Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum in exchange for Young
Young has made just 10 appearances this season amid a number of injuries to the guard
Johnson will lead a new era in Atlanta with the likes of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher all part of their exciting roster.
Financial considerations played a central role in the deal, as Young is currently earning $45.9 million this season and holds a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27.
By moving Young’s massive salary, Atlanta avoids a potential tax apron crunch and gains the ability to enter the 2026 offseason with nearly $50 million in cap space.
McCollum joins the Hawks as a veteran scoring threat, currently averaging 18.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Kispert also heads to Atlanta and has averaged 9.2 points and 2.3 rebounds, despite being limited by thumb and hamstring injuries this season.
Washington, meanwhile, have been on the search for an anchor for their youthful roster and, according to ESPN, believe the trade for Young is a crucial next step.
The move will see Young reunite with Wizards executive Travis Schlenk, who had been in charge at the Hawks when they drafted the guard back in 2018.
