As the NBA quietly turned the page toward 2026, the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards ushered in the new year with a move that signals a change in direction for both franchises. Multiple reports indicate that Atlanta has agreed to send longtime centerpiece Trae Young to Washington in exchange for veteran scorer CJ McCollum and wing shooter Corey Kispert.
While league rules prevent teams from formally acknowledging a trade before approval, the night’s events in Atlanta and Philadelphia spoke loudly. Hawks coach Quin Snyder wasted little time setting boundaries after Atlanta’s 117-100 win over New Orleans.
“I know you all have questions for me that right now I’m not at liberty to talk about or answer,” Snyder said before taking any questions.
The first indication of a deal came from NBA insider Marc Stein, with ESPN later confirming that the agreement had been reached. Soon after, the Wizards sat both McCollum and Kispert for their game in Philadelphia, while Young appeared on Atlanta’s bench in street clothes.
Young’s quiet movements late in the fourth quarter — leaving the bench, returning briefly, then exiting again with seconds remaining — felt symbolic. He paused to exchange handshakes with fans before heading to the locker room, a moment that resembled a farewell to the city where he built his NBA identity.
Statistically, Young leaves Atlanta etched into franchise history. He is the Hawks’ all-time leader in assists and made three-pointers, ranks fourth in free throws made and sixth in points, and sits among the league’s elite playmakers since entering the NBA as the fifth overall pick in 2018. Only a handful of players — including Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, James Harden and Devin Booker — have matched his combination of scoring and passing over that span.
Yet numbers tell only part of the story. This season, Atlanta’s results have been strikingly different without Young on the floor. The Hawks are 16-13 in games he missed, compared to 2-8 when he played, a contrast that has fueled debate about fit and future.
Teammate Mouhamed Gueye offered a more personal perspective, praising Young’s leadership and support.
“That’s Trae Young,” Gueye said. “I love him as a guy, I love him as a teammate. … An Atlanta legend.”
For Atlanta, McCollum brings experience and consistent scoring, averaging 18.8 points this season and 19.6 across his career. Kispert adds perimeter shooting, having hit 38% of his three-point attempts in the NBA.
For Washington, acquiring Young represents a bold bet on star power. With a $49 million player option looming and extension eligibility ahead, the Wizards appear ready to hand him the keys and redefine their future around his game.
