WASHINGTON — Trae Young received a video introduction and a warm ovation Friday night as Capital One Arena welcomed the four-time All-Star who arrived earlier in the day in a trade finalized with the Atlanta Hawks.
The 27-year-old guard, dressed in a tan suit that nearly matched the Wizards’ City Edition colors, did not play against the New Orleans Pelicans because of lingering knee and quadriceps soreness. He has been sidelined since Dec. 27.
“I feel like D.C. is overlooked as a big market,” Young told reporters before tip-off on Jan. 9, 2026. “I’m coming into an opportunity where I can be myself.”
Trade details
Washington sent veteran guard CJ McCollum and reserve forward Corey Kispert to Atlanta. No draft picks changed hands, and Young retains a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
General manager Will Dawkins said the deal aligns with the franchise’s long-term rebuild. “We’re not deviating from the plan,” Dawkins noted. “Trae fits with the development of our younger players.”
Wizards’ recent struggles
After back-to-back seasons with 64 and 67 losses, Washington opened this campaign 3-20 but had taken seven of its previous 13 contests entering Friday. The roster features developing pieces such as center Alex Sarr and guards Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George, all 23 or younger.
Young owns career averages of 25.2 points and 9.8 assists. His arrival gives Washington its first marquee point guard since Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double during the 2020-21 season. Earlier in the decade, the Wizards were led by long-time star John Wall.
Atlanta’s send-off
Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh thanked Young for seven seasons highlighted by a 2021 run to the Eastern Conference finals. Atlanta has missed the playoffs the last two years, and Saleh said the organization “wishes Trae and his family all the best.”
Young said success in Atlanta “happened faster than I expected,” and he believes a similar surge is possible in Washington.
Source: ESPN
