Hawks Send Trae Young to Wizards for McCollum/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Atlanta Hawks are trading star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. The move ends Young’s career in Atlanta, where he became the franchise leader in assists and three-pointers. League approval is pending, with the trade expected to finalize Thursday.
Trae Young’s time in Atlanta has officially reached its conclusion. The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade the high-scoring point guard to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran shooter CJ McCollum and versatile wing Corey Kispert, according to a source familiar with the agreement. The deal has yet to receive final league approval, with the trade call not expected until Thursday.
Young, known as both a prolific scorer and polarizing figure, will now begin a new chapter in Washington. During his time with the Hawks, he shattered multiple franchise records, including most career assists and most three-pointers made — surpassing former Hawks legends Doc Rivers and Mookie Blaylock. He also ranks fourth in free throws and sixth in total points in team history.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder, speaking after Atlanta’s win over New Orleans, acknowledged the swirling reports but declined to confirm the trade. “I know you all have questions for me that right now I’m not at liberty to talk about or answer,” Snyder said.
NBA reporter Marc Stein first reported that the teams were nearing an agreement, with ESPN later confirming the finalized terms. The Wizards proactively sat both McCollum and Kispert during their loss to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Young did not suit up for Atlanta and was seen leaving the bench late in the game, waving to fans as he headed to the locker room.
Young’s leadership and talent left a lasting impression in Atlanta, particularly among younger teammates.
Selected fifth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, Young quickly emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players. He ranks first in the NBA in total assists and assists per game since entering the league, and he’s top ten in both total points and points per game over that same span.
He joins a rare group of players — Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Devin Booker — who rank in the top ten in both points and assists since 2018. Jokic has won a title and three MVPs, Harden is part of the league’s 75th Anniversary Team, Doncic is an MVP contender, and Booker is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Still, Young hasn’t received the same level of recognition, despite four All-Star selections — two through fan voting, two via commissioner selection as an injury replacement.
Team success has also been inconsistent during his tenure. This season, the Hawks posted a 2-8 record in games Young played, but were 16-13 without him. Overall, Atlanta has a slightly better win percentage in games he didn’t play (49%) compared to those he did (45%).
Young holds a player option worth approximately $49 million for next season and is eligible to sign a three-year extension with the Wizards once the trade is finalized.
CJ McCollum, heading to Atlanta, averaged 18.8 points per game in 35 appearances with Washington this season. A career 19.6-point scorer, McCollum will be joining his fourth NBA team after stints with Portland, New Orleans, and Washington.
Corey Kispert, a career role player, has spent all five of his seasons in Washington, primarily coming off the bench. He holds career averages of 10.9 points per game while shooting 38% from three-point range, making him a valuable floor spacer for Atlanta’s rotation.
The trade represents a significant reset for both franchises. Atlanta moves on from its franchise centerpiece, while Washington gains a marquee name in Young, potentially signaling a new direction for the rebuilding franchise.
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