Trae Young Eyes Wizards as Top Trade Destination
trae-young-prefers-wizards-in-potential-hawks-trade
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has identified the Washington Wizards as his preferred landing spot while he and the Hawks explore trade possibilities, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Agents Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison and Austin Brown are in ongoing talks with Atlanta’s front office, and the club is engaged in trade conversations with multiple teams, the sources said.
Young, 27, holds a $49 million player option for the upcoming offseason, positioning him as an effective expiring contract. He could also decline the option and enter free agency, a move that would open nearly $40 million in cap space for the Hawks.
Since arriving as the No. 5 overall pick in 2018, Young has become Atlanta’s career leader in three-pointers and assists. He guided the franchise to the postseason three times, highlighted by a trip to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.
Atlanta’s roster shift this season has been driven by the rise of forward Jalen Johnson—averaging 23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists in 34 games—and offseason signee Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is posting a career-high 20.5 points over 36 appearances.
Injuries have limited Young to 10 games this year. He missed time early with a right MCL sprain and is currently sidelined by a right quad contusion that has kept him out of the past five contests.
An All-NBA selection in 2021-22, Young owns career averages of 25.2 points and 9.8 assists and led the league with 11.6 assists per game last season.
Source: ESPN
