The NBA trade season kicked off with the Washington Wizards acquiring Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks. Washington sent C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta, with no draft picks included, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Young’s representatives worked closely with the Hawks to find a preferred destination, sources told ESPN on Monday. Washington emerged as Young’s top choice after Atlanta declined to extend his contract last offseason.
Additionally, Young has ties to former Hawks executive Travis Schlenk and Wizards GM Will Dawkins. Those relationships helped facilitate a deal centered on mutual familiarity and long-term vision.
Currently, the Wizards are positioned near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. However, adding an All-Star guard signals a shift toward accelerated roster building.
Trae Young changes everything for the Wizards
Passing has always defined Trae Young’s offensive brilliance. Since entering the NBA in 2018, he has led the league in assists twice. Young averaged 9.6 assists in 2020-21 and a league-best 11.6 assists in 2024-25.
Young averaged 9.6 assists in 2020-21 and a league-best 11.6 assists in 2024-25. He thrives with rim-running bigs, something Washington has in rising center Alex Sarr. Notably, Young is one of five players this century to average 20 points and 11 assists in a season.
The others include Chris Paul, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Nikola Jokic. Washington currently ranks 20th in assists and lacks a true offensive initiator. Young immediately fills that void as a primary engine and decision-maker.
Trae Young gives them a scoring threat that elevates the Wizards'
Beyond playmaking, Young remains a high-volume scoring threat. He averages over 25 points per game for his career and has six 20-point seasons.
Young became the youngest player to reach 12,000 points and 4,500 assists. Last season, he averaged 30 points and 15 assists per 100 possessions. Magic Johnson (twice), Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook share that distinction.
Meanwhile, Washington hasn’t seen back-to-back 20-point scoring seasons since Bradley Beal. Young’s presence immediately raises the team’s offensive ceiling.
Young holds a $49 million player option, making him an expiring contract. Washington had roughly $80 million in cap space entering the deal. That flexibility allows the Wizards to absorb Young’s salary while pursuing additional stars.
However, durability remains a concern after Young missed most of this season. He appeared in just 10 games due to an MCL injury and a quad contusion. Washington will prioritize health management moving forward.
In Atlanta, the transition had been brewing. The Hawks went 16-13 without Young but struggled with him in the lineup. Jalen Johnson’s emergence accelerated the franchise’s shift toward a younger core.
Jalen Johnson’s emergence accelerated the franchise’s shift toward a younger core. Atlanta now builds around Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu. McCollum adds veteran stability, while Kispert provides elite perimeter shooting. Atlanta also retains valuable future draft assets to shape its next phase.
Trae Young means a new era for the Wizards
Ultimately, this trade represents more than a roster move for Washington. It signals a shift toward establishing an offensive identity built around elite creation.
Young gives the Wizards a true lead guard capable of controlling tempo and elevating teammates. That alone changes how opponents must game-plan against Washington nightly.
Young leaves Atlanta as the franchise leader in assists and three-pointers. He guided the Hawks to three playoff appearances, including a 2021 conference finals run.
Washington sits 14th in the East and hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2021. Now, with Young leading the offense, the rebuild gains direction and star power with a clear franchise star.
If healthy, Trae Young gives the Wizards relevance—and a legitimate offensive identity—once again.