The Washington Wizards have shown “legitimate” interest in acquiring four-time All-Star guard Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks, according to a social-media report by veteran journalist Marc Stein on January 5.
Stein indicated that a framework being discussed would send guard CJ McCollum and his $30.7 million expiring contract to Atlanta. Because McCollum’s salary alone would not satisfy collective-bargaining matching rules, Washington would need to include at least $6.2 million in additional salary to complete the deal.
Young, 27, is earning $46 million this season and holds a $49 million player option for 2026-27. The No. 5 pick in the 2018 draft has averaged 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steal across 493 career games, shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three-point range. Limited by a sprained right MCL and a right quad contusion, he has appeared in only 10 games this season, posting 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 28.0 minutes per game on 41.5 percent shooting.
Cap analyst Yossi Gozlan characterized a potential Young-for-McCollum exchange as largely a salary-relief move for Atlanta. Stein has previously noted that the Hawks’ payroll concerns could complicate a separate pursuit of Lakers star Anthony Davis; moving Young could clear financial room for such a transaction.
McCollum, 34, is in his first season with Washington after arriving last summer. Through 34 appearances, he is averaging 18.6 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Discussions between the teams have not progressed to the formal stage, and no timetable for a decision has been reported.
Source: Hoops Rumors
