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The Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with four-time NBA All-Star point guard Trae Young and traded him to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move, according to ESPN.
The Hawks will reportedly receive veteran 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 during play against the Boston Celtics during Game 6 of Round 1 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 possibly 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.
It marks the end of an era for the Hawks. Young has been the focal point of their offense since he was selected in that draft. He is the team leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the team to the postseason in three of his eight seasons. The Hawks went further in 2021, where they reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
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However, the new era was already taking shape in Atlanta, with forward Jalen Johnson taking the next step in his career, averaging 23.7 points per game this season. The addition of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also helps, as he averaged 20.5 points per game in 36 appearances.
Young, meanwhile, has played in just 10 games this season as he has been dealing with leg injuries, most notably a sprained right MCL.
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks watches after the game against the Boston Celtics during game five 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 get some flexibility on their books as they could make a few more moves. Anthony Davis is reportedly available from the Dallas Mavericks, making him a good target for Atlanta.
Young has $95 million left on his contract that runs through the 2026-27 season, which includes a player option this offseason.
Atlanta will assume McCollum’s contract, although the veteran point guard has an expiring $30.6 million deal.
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% from the field.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks drives 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 last season he led the league in the latter category with 11.6 per game.
