The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, according to sources who spoke with ESPN on Wednesday. This blockbuster deal ends Young’s seven-plus-year run as the face of the Hawks franchise and sends the 27-year-old star guard to his preferred destination, Washington, where he is expected to be the primary playmaker and offensive leader. Wizards executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins have been seeking a cornerstone to guide their young core, and the organization views Young as a key piece in its rebuilding process. The trade also reunites Young with Travis Schlenk, the Wizards executive who originally brought him to Atlanta in 2018.
With Young gone, Atlanta is entering a new era built around emerging talent including Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher, aiming for a more versatile, wing-oriented style of play. McCollum brings veteran leadership and scoring to the Hawks while his $30.6 million expiring contract provides valuable financial flexibility, allowing Atlanta to explore major roster upgrades in the coming months, including the potential pursuit of a high-salary star like Anthony Davis. The Hawks also hold a highly valuable 2025 first-round pick—the better of New Orleans’ or Milwaukee’s selections.
Young has $95 million remaining on his contract through the 2026–27 season, including a player option. After the trade, the Wizards will be roughly $30 million below the luxury tax, open a roster spot, and clear approximately $46 million in cap space for the upcoming offseason. Atlanta currently sits ninth in the Eastern Conference with an 18–21 record after Wednesday’s win over the Pelicans but was just 2–8 in games Young played this season.
The Wizards, who rank near the bottom of the NBA in guard scoring and assists, gain a proven offensive engine in Young. He has career averages of 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, led the NBA in assists last season, and ranks among the most productive offensive players since entering the league. Washington, currently 27th in offensive efficiency, has not made the playoffs since 2021.
Young’s representatives worked closely with Hawks GM Onsi Saleh over the past week to finalize the deal after months of discussions about his future in Atlanta. Hawks coach Quin Snyder declined to comment in detail, as the trade was still pending NBA approval. Teammates praised Young’s impact on and off the court, calling him an “Atlanta legend.” He leaves the franchise as its all-time leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the Hawks to three playoff appearances, including an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021.
McCollum was averaging 18.8 points per game while shooting nearly 40% from three, and Kispert adds reliable wing depth with strong perimeter shooting. For the Wizards, Young instantly becomes the franchise’s offensive focal point, while both teams gain roster and salary flexibility heading into a pivotal offseason. This Trae Young trade is set to reshape the future of both the Hawks and Wizards and stands as one of the most significant NBA moves of the season.
