The Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards have shaken up the NBA landscape with a blockbuster trade that sends four-time All-Star Trae Young to the nation’s capital, marking the end of an era in Atlanta and the dawn of a new chapter for both franchises. The deal, finalized on January 8, 2026, sees the Hawks receive veteran guard CJ McCollum and sharpshooting wing Corey Kispert, with no draft picks exchanged. For fans in both cities, the move signals a dramatic shift in team priorities and future ambitions.
Trae Young, just 27, leaves Atlanta after more than seven seasons as the face of the franchise. His resume as a Hawk is nothing short of legendary: all-time leader in three-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837), three postseason appearances—including a thrilling run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021—and a reputation for electrifying playmaking. Young’s career averages speak for themselves: 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, including two seasons averaging at least 25 points and 10 assists, a feat matched only by Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson in NBA history.
But the writing had been on the wall for months. After the Hawks opted not to offer Young a contract extension, trade rumors swirled and eventually morphed into reality. The final straw may have been Young’s absence from the lineup—he was sidelined with a right quad contusion for six games leading up to the trade, seen on the bench in street clothes during Atlanta’s 117-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on January 7. As teammate Mouhamed Gueye reflected, “That’s T.Y. That’s Trae Young. When I first got here, he was one of the first guys that texted me, welcoming me to the city, gave me a lot of advice. Obviously, playing with Trae, as a big, is like a dream come true. I love him as a guy, I love him as a teammate. ... An Atlanta legend.”
The trade was orchestrated with input from Young’s agents and Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh, and it reunites Young with Wizards executive Travis Schlenk, who originally brought him to Atlanta in a draft-night deal back in 2018. For the Wizards, the acquisition of Young is a calculated gamble. Washington’s front office, led by Michael Winger and Will Dawkins, has been searching for a proven anchor to guide their promising young core, which includes Alexandre Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson. The hope is that Young, given a fresh start, will embrace a more team-oriented approach and help accelerate the franchise’s rebuild.
From a financial perspective, the deal is intriguing on both sides. Young has $95 million remaining on his contract through the 2026-27 season, including a hefty $49 million player option next year. If Young chooses to decline that option and sign a new extension—rumored to be in the $35 million per year range—the Wizards would gain significant financial flexibility, moving $30 million below the luxury tax and clearing $46 million in cap space for the summer. However, sources indicate there are no immediate plans for extension talks, with both parties preferring to assess Young’s health and fit before making long-term commitments.
For Atlanta, the trade is about more than just cap relief. The Hawks are now committed to building around 24-year-old star Jalen Johnson, whose emergence as the team’s leading scorer (19 points in the win over New Orleans) has energized the fanbase. Alongside Johnson, the Hawks’ new core features Nickeil Alexander-Walker (who recently poured in 30 points against Denver), Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher, who led the team with 25 points against the Pelicans. Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard also provide valuable depth, and the arrival of McCollum and Kispert brings both veteran leadership and shooting prowess.
McCollum, in his 13th NBA season, arrives in Atlanta on a $30.6 million expiring contract. He’s still producing at a high level—averaging 18.8 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds on 45.4% shooting this season, and recently erupted for 46 points in a Wizards victory. Kispert, meanwhile, adds a reliable perimeter threat, averaging 9.2 points and shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc. The financial flexibility gained by shedding Young’s massive contract gives the Hawks the option to pursue big-name free agents or trades in the coming months. There’s even speculation that Atlanta could target Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, with a valuable first-round pick in June further sweetening their position.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, asked about the trade after the win over New Orleans, kept things close to the vest: “I know you all have questions for me that right now I’m not at liberty to talk about or answer.” Nevertheless, the message is clear—the Hawks are embracing a new identity focused on defense, cohesive offense, and togetherness. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but the early returns are promising. Atlanta, now 18-21 and ninth in the Eastern Conference, is poised to turn the page after a rocky stretch that saw them go 2-8 with Young in the lineup.
The Wizards, for their part, are hoping Young can help lift them out of the doldrums. Washington sits at 10-26 and 14th in the East, having missed the playoffs since the 2020-21 season. The team’s offense has struggled—ranking 27th in efficiency and receiving the sixth-fewest points and fourth-fewest assists per game from guards. Young’s arrival could revitalize the backcourt, especially with McCollum (Washington’s leading scorer at 18.6 points per game) and Kispert now gone. Second-year big man Alex Sarr, averaging 17.2 points, will look to benefit from Young’s playmaking, provided the new star can stay healthy and adapt his game.
Of course, there are risks. Young’s penchant for high-volume, logo-range three-pointers and ball dominance has drawn criticism in the past, and there’s concern that he could stifle the growth of Washington’s young talent if he doesn’t adjust. But there’s also optimism that a change of scenery will inspire Young to refine his shot selection and become more effective off the ball. As one analysis put it, “We should all hope Young uses this trade as motivation to turn his game into something that better develops and helps the players around him.”
Meanwhile, the Hawks are embarking on a challenging four-game road swing, facing the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers. The schedule is daunting, but with a rejuvenated roster and a clearer sense of direction, Atlanta’s faithful have reason to believe that brighter days are ahead.
As the dust settles on one of the NBA’s most significant midseason trades, both the Hawks and Wizards find themselves at a crossroads. Atlanta is betting on youth, balance, and financial flexibility, while Washington is gambling on the star power of Trae Young to spark a turnaround. Will these bold moves pay off? The basketball world will be watching closely as the season unfolds.
