ATLANTA Hawks have agreed to trade four-time All-Star guard Trae Young to Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, according to reports on Wednesday (Thursday in the Philippines).
The deal ends Young’s seven-plus-year run as the centerpiece of the Hawks franchise and sends the 27-year-old guard to Washington, a destination he had preferred.
Young is expected to take on a lead guard role for the Wizards as the team continues its rebuilding process. The move also reunites him with Wizards executive Travis Schlenk, who selected Young fifth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Moving Young gives the Hawks room to pursue additional roster upgrades in the coming months, with the franchise also holding a favorable first-round pick scenario involving New Orleans and Milwaukee in the upcoming draft.
Discussions between the Hawks and Young’s representatives had been ongoing for months, particularly after the team opted not to offer him a contract extension. Young has $95 million remaining on his deal through the 2026–27 season, which includes a player option.
The Wizards are not expected to immediately pursue an extension with Young and will first assess his health upon arrival. Young has dealt with a right MCL sprain earlier this season and has missed the past six games due to a right quad contusion.
Young leaves Atlanta as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and three-pointers, having guided the Hawks to three playoff appearances, including a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021.
He averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in limited action this season and owns career averages of 25.2 points and 9.8 assists. He led the NBA in assists last season and has been named All-NBA once.
McCollum has averaged 18.8 points this season while providing consistent perimeter scoring, while Kispert adds depth on the wing after averaging 9.2 points and shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range.
Washington, which ranks near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency, is hoping Young’s playmaking and scoring can address its struggles from the guard position.
The trade marks a significant shift for both franchises, with Atlanta prioritizing flexibility and youth while Washington commits to Young as a central figure in its rebuild./PN
