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The Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with four-time NBA All-Star point guard Trae Young, trading him to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move, according to ESPN.
The Hawks would receive veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert in the deal.
Washington was Young’s preferred destination, and the two sides were working on a deal to bring the 27-year-old point guard to the nation’s capital.
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Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks watches the game against the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Young’s agents were having conversations with the Hawks, who are 17-21 so far this season, about trading their client out of Atlanta.
There’s also a mutual connection in Washington, as executive Travis Schlenk drafted Young fifth overall in 2018 out of Oklahoma.
This marks the end of an era for the Hawks. Young has been the focal point of their offense since he was selected in this draft. He is the team’s career leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the team to the playoffs in three of his eight seasons. The Hawks went furthest in 2021, where they reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
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However, a new era was already brewing in Atlanta, with forward Jalen Johnson taking the next step in his career, averaging 23.7 points per game this season. The recovery of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also helps, as he has averaged 20.5 points per game in 36 appearances.
Meanwhile, Young has only played in 10 games this season as he struggles with leg injuries, including a sprained right MCL.
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the game against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Hawks also have some flexibility on their books as they could make more moves. Anthony Davis is reportedly available from the Dallas Mavericks, making him a good target for Atlanta.
Young has $95 million remaining on his contract that runs through the 2026-27 season, which includes a player option this offseason.
Atlanta will assume McCollum’s contract, even though the veteran guard has a $30.6 million deal that’s expiring.
In his 10 games this season, Young is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks goes down the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on April 7, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Over his career, Young has dropped 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, while leading the league in the latter category last season with 11.6 assists per game.
